The AFL world is mourning the death of former Richmond and Collingwood player Andrew Krakouer.
Krakouer, who played 137 games at the Tigers between 2001 and 2013, suffered a suspected heart attack in Perth on Sunday.
He was 42.
Krakouer, the son of North Melbourne legend Jim, is perhaps best known for his career resurgence at the Magpies after being delisted by the Tigers at the end of 2007.
Returning to his native Western Australia, he was found guilty of assault with intent to cause bodily harm in an incident from late 2006 and was sentenced to four years in jail in June 2008.
Released in August 2009, he returned to football with WAFL side Swan Districts, with an extraordinary season in which he won the 2010 Sandover Medal as the league’s best and fairest player, the club’s own B&F and the Simpson Medal for best afield in the WAFL grand final, winning 42 disposals and kicking four goals including the match-winner deep in the final quarter, put him back on the radar of AFL clubs.
Signed by Collingwood for the 2011 season, he played in the Magpies’ grand final loss to Collingwood, kicking three goals on the big day and 35 for the season, while also taking the Mark of the Year.
Following his AFL career, Krakouer co-hosted the popular afl.com.au footy show Yokayi Footy, while also providing special comments on some AFLW games for Fox Footy.
Speaking on SEN, former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said Krakouer’s death was ‘tragic’.
“That’s really sad news. That’s tragic, so young at 42,” he said.
“A really calm, quiet teammate, who was respectful and went about his business. I really enjoyed the years with him.
“That’s really sad for his family and his mates.
“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 just loved the game, found a way to impact and could do things that other players couldn’t do. He was exceptional.”
Former teammate Matthew Richardson also paid tribute to Krakouer on X, describing him as a ‘beautiful man’.
