The former boss of Collingwood, Eddie McGuire, revealed new details on the tragic death of Andrew Krakouer, including what the 42 -year -old football star was doing at the time of his alleged heart attack.
Footy World is in mourning for the former Richmond and Collingwood AFL player who scored 102 games for the Tigers (2001-2007) and 35 for the Magpies (2011-2013), with three goals in the defeat of the Grand-Final des Pies in 2011 against Geelong.
On Monday evening, McGuire spoke of Krakouer, giving new information about his sudden death this weekend.
“He had just returned to Perth,” said McGuire to the project on Channel 10.
“I understand that he was jardating in his mother’s garden when he had a heart attack and could not be rekindled. Our hearts break.
Krakouer’s second passage in the AFL came after being imprisoned in 2008 for 16 months for serious assault, McGuire also revealing new details on the way he made his return inspiring to the League.
Eddie McGuire revealed that Andw Krakouer was in his mother when he suffered a heart attack and died
After playing for the Richmond Tigers, Krakouer spent time in prison before resuscitating his career with Collingwood (photo)
“He told me that a night lying in his cell, he essentially wondered” what devil has happened to my life “, said McGuire.
“We (Collingwood) keep an eye on Andrew and discovered that they had a fairly solid football competition in prison in Perth. Andrew was really in good shape and wanted to have a last blow to his career.
“In the end, we were able to recruit him in Collingwood and within 12 months, he had taken the brand of the year, scored the second best goal of the year and scored three goals in the grand final.”
The figures for Richmond and Collingwood led tributes to Krakouer, the two clubs saying that they were “deeply saddened”.
Tigers Great Matthew Richardson remembered Krakouer as “a handsome man who was loved by all his teammates”.
“He always greeted you with a hug and a warm smile,” said Richardson.
“He had a great sense of humor and was one of those people you felt really well. Just a person to rip.
“As a player, he was super talented.
Krakouer is represented with Barbara Garlett, with whom he had two daughters
The figures for Richmond and Collingwood led tributes to Krakouer, the two clubs saying that they were `deeply saddened ” about the tragic event
“He was the best forward who I played … The Perfect Crumber, and he was also a good brand for his size.
“When he was in song, he was unbeatable.”
Krakouer fell with Collingwood after the “doing better” report of 2021 on allegations of racism, but made peace with the club the following year.
Former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley described the 2011 brand winner as “a genius” who could make “special things” on the ground.
“He took advantage of his opportunities,” said Buckley on Sen.
“He was sometimes disturbed, but what a brilliant footballer.
“Really calm and quiet teammates who were respectful and who did his duties.”
“He liked the game,” found a way to have an impact and could do things that other players could not do. He was exceptional.
The star of Tigers and Magpies has become a retired television football program and even wrote a children’s book to help children whose parents were imprisoned
Krakouer was a star in the state League, offering a brilliant WAFL 2010 season which earned him a second chance in AFL.
He won the Sandoover medal as the best WAFL player this season and received the Simpson medal as the best victory of the Grand Final of the Swan Districts against Claremont.
Krakouer collected 42 eliminations and four goals in the decision -maker, kicking the victory in the game in the dying seconds of a point that won the Prime Minister of Swans in 20 years.
The GWS star and the former Swans teammate Stephen Coniglio said his “hero” Krakouer had a significant influence on him.
“I can’t even start thinking about where my career and my life would have managed if I had never met you,” said Coniglio on Instagram.
“You have overcome so much about your own adversity to restore mine and many others.”
Krakouer scored 35 goals in 23 games when he returned from AFL in 2011, but broke an ACL in the next pre-season.
He returned at the end of 2012 but was struck off by Collingwood at the end of 2013.
Krakouer then worked in the football media and co -wrote a children’s book – my father left – who approached children’s experiences with incarcerated parents.
AFL’s chief executive officer Andrew Dillon said Krakouer would remember him for the work he had done to change his life, becoming a leader in the fight against school and community groups while building a media career.
“Losing it at such an early age is a tragedy, and we hope that there will be peace for his family during this heartbreaking and difficult period,” said Dillon.
Krakouer’s father, Jim and Uncle Phil, were stars with Claremont in Wafl and North Melbourne in the VFL in the 1980s.