‘Absolutely disgusted’: Former Collingwood star Andrew Krakouer reveals racial slur

Former Collingwood forward Andrew Krakouer has revealed a locker room incident where he called out teammates for using a racial slur.

Former Collingwood Magpies forward Andrew Krakouer has revealed an ugly locker room incident where he called out three teammates for using a racial slur.

Last month, an internal club investigation concluded Collingwood was guilty of fostering “systemic racism” that “has resulted in profound and enduring harm to First Nations and African players”.

Following immense backlash from the sporting community, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire stood down from his position in February.

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Former Magpies players Heritier Lumumba and Leon Davis have been outspoken about the club’s unwillingness to address racism, which inspired Krakouer to speak up.

Andrew Krakouer in 2013.

Speaking to The Herald Sun, Krakouer detailed the 2012 incident where he overheard three teammates make brash comments about Indigenous peoples.

“I’ve got no interest in mentioning any names, but there was a group talking and I heard the word ‘B**ng’ come up,” Krakouer said.

“Straight away there were a number of emotions running through me. I was anxious, I was angry, I was annoyed — and in disbelief that I had just heard that in my own workplace and it was my own teammates who were making the racial slurs.

“They were having a bit of a laugh and I walked over and I said, ‘Would you guys mind telling me what is so funny?’

“They tried to sort of laugh it off and say, ‘It’s nothing, mate, don’t worry about it’, and I said, ‘No, actually, I just heard you guys say the word ‘B**ng’ and you’re laughing about it. I want to know what’s so funny’.

“(One teammate) told me that the word ‘B**ng’ came from back in the day when white Australians used to run over Aboriginal people in their car and that ‘B**ng’ was the sound the car made when it hit them.

“I was absolutely disgusted in that person’s response and the fact that it was funny to him and that it was a joke.

“These guys were my teammates and I had to play footy with them. It was a moment where I really thought to myself, ‘What am I doing here?’

Andrew Krakouer at training.

“I really wondered if this was where I should be working, because I felt that it was an unsafe place. It was a lot to process.

“It needs to be said. Racism, I believe, is a public health issue. It scars people, it changes people. It’s not just words, it’s systemic and really cuts deep. Enough is enough. We just want equitable opportunities to be healthy and thrive; people should get it by now. We’re just sick of it.”

Krakouer also said he was “pretty disappointed” with Collingwood’s response to the damning “Do Better” report.

After representing Richmond for seven seasons, Krakouer played 35 games for Collingwood between 2011 and 2013, kicking 50 goals.

He currently co-hosts AFL program Yokayi Footy.

Read Andrew Krakouer’s full interview on The Herald Sun