AFL great, member of famous family dies suddenly at age 42

A member of a famous football family has died at the age of 42 in devastating news that has rocked Australian football.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article contains the name and images of deceased persons.

Football great Andrew Krakouer has died at the age of 42, the AFL has confirmed.

The former Collingwood showman died from a heart attack on Sunday night in Perth, according to the football club.

Krakouer played 137 games for the Tigers and Magpies before retiring from the AFL in 2013.

The former Richmond player, who began his career with the Tigers in 2001, is a member of a famous Australian football family.

Most notably his dad Jim Krakouer played 235 games of senior football, including 134 with North Melbourne.

Andrew Krakouer was a popular footballer. AAP Image/Joe Castro.

His uncle Phil Krakouer also played 238 games of senior football, including 141 with the Kangaroos.

His cousin Nathan also played for Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast Suns before his retirement in 2017.

Andrew grew up in Western Australia and continued to play football in his home state following his AFL retirement.

As a teenager, Andrew Krakouer impressed AFL talent scouts while playing colts-level football for South Fremantle. He was the No. 41 overall draft pick in the 2000 AFL Draft.

Former teammate and coach Nathan Buckley said Krakouer was “a genius” after learning the news of his Collingwood teammate’s death live on radio.

Andrew Krakouer kicks a goal at the MCG.

“That’s really sad news,” Buckley said on SEN.

“That’s tragic stuff, so young 42. Gee he went through a bit in his life, Krak. He probably had the worst of it and the best of it. Showed real grit to fight back and do what he did in his career.

“The Indigenous boys, geez they do it tough, to try and come in to mainstream AFL footy.

“He made the most of his opportunities. He was troubled at times but what a brilliant footballer. Really calm, quiet teammate who was respectful and went about his business.

“I really enjoyed the years with him. That’s just really sad for his family first and foremost and his mates.

“He was just a genius. He was just a player that could do the special things. The hanger he took in 2011 was elite. He just loved the game, found a way to impact and do things other players couldn’t do. He was exceptional.

“That’s a bit of a shock.”

Tributes from across the game have begun to be shared publicly.

Richmond icon Matthew Richardson posted on X: “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.”

Former Richmond teammate and chief executive Brendon Gale said he was “saddened by the tragic and unexpected passing” of Krakouer.

“‘Krak’ was a special talent - but more than that, he was a deeply loved husband, father, son, teammate and friend,” Gale wrote on X.

“My condolences are with the Krakouer family and all who loved him. Rest easy Krak.”

Collingwood, AFL release tributes

Collingwood on Monday afternoon released a statement to convey the club’s “deep sadness”.

“On behalf of the Collingwood Football Club, we are shocked at the terrible early loss of Andrew and our thoughts are with his family and many friends within football,” Collingwood president Barry Carp said.

“Andrew represented Collingwood in 35 games between 2011-2013. Fans will always remember his Mark of the Year at Marvel Stadium and the three goals he kicked in the 2011 Grand Final against the Geelong Cats.

“Andrew played a leadership role at Collingwood, strengthening relationships with First Nations players and contributing to building greater understanding in our game. He sought to assist others where he could and spoke to many school groups about his experiences through football and life.

“Collingwood extends its deepest condolences to his partner Barbara, his children and the wider Krakouer family.”

The AFL said in a statement the league is “deeply shocked” by the news.

“We send our sincere condolences to Andrew’s family and many friends across football,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said.

“To lose him at such an early age is a tragedy, and we hope there can be some peace for his family in this heart-breaking and difficult time.

“To all his past teammates at Richmond, Collingwood, the team at AFL media and all Indigenous players and staff across the industry, our thoughts are with you all.”

AFL great’s turbulent career, prison sentence

Andrew Krakouer and Megan Waters on the Yokayi Footy TV show.

On Christmas Eve in 2006, Andrew, along with his brother Tyrone, was charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm after an incident outside a pub in Fremantle. The court heard there had been some “tribal business” involving two Indigenous families.

Andrew was found guilty in June, 2008 and served a 32-month prison sentence.

He had already been de-listed by the Tigers in October, 2007.

He returned to senior football in 2010 in the WAFL with Swan Districts.

It took only a number of months before it was clear he was going to return to the AFL with multiple clubs chasing his signature.

He was eventually awarded the 2010 Sandover Medal as the best and fairest player in the competition.

He signed with the Magpies just a few weeks later and rediscovered some of the best form of his playing career.

Krakouer achieved many things on the football field but he will always be immortalised for his 2011 Mark of the Year where he flew on the shoulders of an Adelaide Crows player before taking a spectacular grab in the air.

Many, however, will remember him as a man that turned his life around after prison and became a motivational speaker as a proud Minang and Ingaarda leader.

Andrew Krakouer walks away from Collingwood over racism claims

Andrew Krakouer was one of several Collingwood players to sever ties with the football club after bombshell racism claims were made against the club in 2021.

Krakouer in March, 2021, came forward with claims he had been called a racist slur during a dressing room incident with teammates in 2012.

He was speaking out after Collingwood’s club-commissioned Do Better report — which described Collingwood’s history with racism as systemic and “egregious”.

Former Magpies players Heritier Lumumba and Leon Davis also spoke out publicly at the time over what they called an unwillingness to address racism.

However, four months later, the club announced Davis and Krakouer had returned to the club after being offered jobs in a new department responsible for building a culturally safe environment at the club.

After his AFL career, Krakouer became a popular member of the footy media, in particular for his role as co-host for Yokayi Footy. He also commentated some AFLW games for Fox Footy.

Don’t go it alone. Please reach out for help. 13YARN: Speak to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter on 13 92 76 or visit 13yarn.org.au

Originally published as AFL great, member of famous family dies suddenly at age 42