Nathan Krakouer redrafted by Port Adelaide in AFL rookie draft four years after walking out on the club
PORT Adelaide has stunningly revived the AFL career of Nathan Krakouer — four years after he controversially walked out on the club to join Gold Coast.
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PORT Adelaide has stunningly revived the AFL career of Nathan Krakouer — four years after he controversially walked out on the club to join Gold Coast.
As revealed in The Advertiser on Monday, the Power has today used its only live selection at the rookie draft (No. 16 overall) on the 26-year-old midfielder/forward, who adds another ready-to-go player to the exciting Port list.
Krakouer upset the Power with the way he handled his decision to join Gold Coast’s inaugural AFL squad at the end of 2010 after playing 40 games in four years at Port.
But he lasted just one season — and 13 games — with the Suns before quitting the AFL for personal reasons.
He returned to SA to play with the Port Magpies this season, kicking a team-high three goals in the grand final loss to Norwood, and impressed the Power with his on-field play and improved off-field attitude.
Before officially redrafting Krakouer, Port recruiting manager Geoff Parker told The Advertiser Krakouer had proved during the season that he is ready for another crack at big-time football.
“I think that was part of the reason he wanted to come back and play at the Magpies, to get a feel of things and see whether he could actually physically and mentally do it again,’’ Parker said.
“He had a good season, he’s played with our second group all season and he’s seen what our (Power) guys have had to do.
“He understands our structures and he’s seen the workload that’s involved.’’
As expected, Port used its other rookie picks to select delisted veteran Tom Logan and The Recruit winner Johann Wagner.
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