McGuire goes public with new details after AFL rocked by news about Andrew Krakouer
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has revealed Andrew Krakouer was gardening at his mother's house in Perth when he suffered a heart attack and died. The AFL community is mourning Krakouer after the former Richmond and Collingwood player died at the age of 42.
Tributes are flowing in for the much-loved former player, with Nathan Buckley and Matthew Richardson among the many to speak out. On Monday night, former Magpies president McGuire opened up on how the club kept tabs on Krakouer while he was in jail, while also providing new details into his tragic death.
"He had just gone back to Perth," McGuire said on The Project on Channel 10. "It's my understanding that he was gardening in his mother's front garden when he had a heart attack and couldn't be revived. Our hearts are breaking."
Krakouer played 102 games for the Tigers from 2001 to 2007, before 35 games for the Magpies from 2011 to 2013. In between he spent 16 months behind bars after being jailed in 2008 for a serious assault.
McGuire was part of the Collingwood hierarchy who made the call to bring Krakouer to the club, and revealed how they scouted him even while he was in prison. "He told me that one night lying in his cell he basically wondered 'what the hell has happened to my life'," McGuire recounted.
"We kept tabs on Andrew and we found out they had a pretty strong football competition in the jail in Perth. Andrew was getting himself really fit and wanted to have one last go at his career. Ultimately we were able to recruit him to Collingwood and within 12 months he'd taken the mark of the year, kicked the second-best goal of the year, and kicked three goals in a grand final."
Krakouer played for the Wooroloo Prison team while in jail, and in 2010 he starred for Swan Districts in the WAFL. He won the Sandover Medal as the best and fairest player of the competition, and also claimed the Simpson Medal for best on ground in the grand final.
His superb season in Perth saw the Magpies recruit him, and in 2011 he repaid their faith. As McGuire mentioned, he took the mark of the year that season and kicked three goals in Collingwood's grand final loss.
Tigers great Richardson remembered Krakouer on Monday as "a beautiful man who was loved by all his teammates". He said: "He always greeted you with a hug and a warm smile. He had a great sense of humour and was one of those people you felt really good to be around. Just a ripper person.
"As a player, he was super talented. He was the best crumbing forward I played with ... the perfect crumber, and he was a good mark for his size as well. When he was on song, he was unbeatable."
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Former Magpies player and coach Buckley described him as "a genius" who could do "special things" on the field. "He made the most of his opportunities," Buckley said on SEN radio. "He was troubled at times, but what a brilliant footballer. Really calm, quiet teammate who was respectful and went about his business. He loved the game, found a way to impact and could do things other players couldn't do. He was exceptional."
More recently Krakouer worked as a host of the Yokayi Footy program on NITV. He co-authored a children's book - My Dad's Gone Away - which addressed the experiences of children with incarcerated parents.
Rest in peace Andrew Krakouer. A beautiful man who was loved by all his teammates. Always greeted you with a hug and a smile. Love to Jimmy and Andrew's daughters and all his family. Very sad day ❤️
— Matthew Richardson (@mattricho0) March 30, 2025
So saddened by the tragic and unexpected passing of Andrew Krakouer. Krak was a special talent - but more than that, he was a deeply loved husband, father, son, teammate and friend. My condolences are with the Krakouer family and all who loved him. Rest easy Krak.
— Brendon Gale (@brendongale25) March 30, 2025
Andrew Krakouer played the greatest game of football I've ever watched live. 2010 WAFL Grand Final, he had 40 disposals and kicked 4 goals, including the winning score in a 1 point win for Swan Districts over Claremont. Been burnt in my memory for 14 years. Rest in peace 💔
— Jasper Chellappah (@Jasperc53) March 31, 2025
with AAP
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