Former Richmond and Collingwood AFL player Andrew Krakouer has passed away in Perth at just 42 years of age, prompting tributes from across the AFL community on Monday.
Hailing from a famous football name as the son of Jim Krakouer, nephew of Phil and cousin of Nathan Krakouer, all of whom played VFL or AFL football, Andrew kicked 102 goals in a 102-game stint with the Tigers, finishing in the top-five of the club's goalkicking charts for four consecutive seasons.
His time at Punt Road ended in 2007 less than 12 months after he was charged in Perth with assault causing grievous bodily harm and was sentenced in 2008 to an initial four-year jail term for the crime of assault with intent to cause bodily harm, making his return to elite football just three years later remotely likely at best.
Krakouer served just 14 months behind bars before being released on parole in August 2009 and immediately turned his mind back to football, getting a second chance with the Swan Districts WAFL club and making the most of it.
After winning both the WAFL's best and fairest award (Sandover Medal) and grand final best on ground award (Simpson Medal) in his first year back, Krakouer was traded from the new Gold Coast Suns club to Collingwood and lit up the competition with the 2011 Mark of the Year as well as three goals in Collingwood's grand final defeat to Geelong.
Krakouer's former coach Nathan Buckley spoke on Melbourne radio of his passing on Monday morning, hailing him as an on-field "genius".
“He made the most of his opportunities," Buckley told Gerard Whateley on SEN.
“He was troubled at times, but what a brilliant footballer. A really calm, quiet teammate who was respectful and went about his business.
“I really enjoyed the years with him, and first and foremost, it's really sad for his family.
“He was just a genius. He was just a player who could do the special things.
"The hanger he took in 2011 was elite. He loved the game, found a way to impact and could do things other players couldn’t do. He was exceptional.”