Andrew Krakouer opens up about troubled past in quest to aid youth

FORMER Collingwood footballer Andrew Krakouer is using his troubled past to help indigenous prison inmates achieve success in life on the outside.

Andrew Krakauer having some quality time with daughters Allira and Tekira.

ANDREW Krakouer can’t wait to get back behind bars.

It had been a place he’d tried hard to avoid.

He was just 11 years old when his dad, Jim, the champion North Melbourne footballer, was jailed for nine years for drug offences.

But when he assaulted a long-time rival in 2008, he too found himself behind bars, sentenced to serve at least half of a 32-month term.

He spent his first night inside wondering what had gone wrong.

But, rather than let things spiral further out of control, he used the prison stretch to work on himself, physically and mentally.

And it worked.

He had been granted day releases to play prison footy, and on his release clawed his way back into the AFL, eventually joining Collingwood.

Now he wants to help other prisoners achieve the same success in life on the outside.

Close to his heart is a reform program for indigenous inmates, It’s Your Time. It has seen him create a five-episode workshop video, chronicling his time on the inside and his experiences to try and give hope to others, which has been used at prisons across the country.

Andrew Krakouer in his playing days.

Now he wants to get back into prisons to work with inmates face to face, to. prepare them for the challenges of life outside.

When he was linked to a million-dollar fraud this week, Krakouer was left shattered.

There are no allegations against him; they’re levelled at his former player sponsor, Maureen Johnston, who’s accused of embezzling $1.5 million and using Krakouer to help form friendships with potential victims.

Krakouer was shocked.

“I am shattered that my name is associated with the allegations,” he said.

“I never introduced Maureen to anyone.

“As disappointing as it is, I take comfort in the knowledge that … I’ve certainly done nothing wrong.

“During my AFL days and since then, I’ve worked hard to put my best foot forward.

“I learnt the hard way about the consequences of bad decisions and I use my experiences to try and help others. I would never put myself, my family or my name at risk again,” he said.

Since being delisted by Collingwood last year and leaving the AFL, Krakouer has returned to Perth with his wife Barbara and two daughters, Tekia and Allira.

The couple is expecting a third child later this year.

He played half a season in the WAFL before joining his local club. Fulfilling his lifelong dream to finish his career playing “park football” with his mates, Krakouer went out on a high, winning a premiership with Bassendean.

But it’s off the field where he is kicking goals.

Former AFL football player Andrew Krakouer with daughters Allira (left) and Tekia. PICTURE : MATTHEW POON.

Apart from his prison reform program he also works with other organisations.

“I’m really passionate about helping others and I love the work I do with the Wirrapanda Foundation,” Krakouer said.

As part of his role with the foundation, Krakouer mentors young aspiring builders.

He is also heavily involved in West Perth’s DJINDA Falcons football-based program, which works to educate indigenous youth.

Mentor and agent Matthew Gray said Krakouer had matured immeasurably since leaving the AFL.

“I wasn’t sure how he was going to go,” he said.

“Part of me feared he would have a hard time responding to the real world. But it’s been phenomenal,” he said.

“It’s a real credit to him.

“He just wants to make a difference.”

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