Eddie McGuire divulges private secret after AFL great Andrew Krakouer’s death

Eddie McGuire has shared a 16-year secret he kept with Andrew Krakouer after the AFL great’s death on Sunday.

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

Eddie McGuire has shared private details of his relationship with Andrew Krakouer after the AFL great’s death on Sunday.

Krakouer died at the age of 42 in Perth on Sunday after suffering a heart attack, the AFL confirmed.

The Collingwood showman played 137 games for the Tigers and Magpies before retiring from the AFL in 2013.

His career was derailed after a pub fight in Fremantle on Christmas Eve in 2006. He was found guilty of assault causing grievous bodily harm in June, 2008 and served a 32-month prison sentence.

McGuire, like many across the footy world, is remembering Krakouer as the man who got his life back together after leaving prison — just as much as he is being celebrated for his acts on the football field.

McGuire on Monday night was interviewed by several broadcast networks with the former Collingwood president sharing some of the private moments he had with Krakouer, including the moment the mercurial footballer decided to turn his life around.

“He was actually playing football in jail when we got the mail that he was actually playing really good football,” McGuire told 7News.

“And Andrew once told me that he lay on the top bunk in the cell, looking at the ceiling six inches above him, thinking, ‘what am I doing here? I should be at the MCG’.

“He then came out and won a premiership with Swan Districts and we were able to recruit him and 12 months later, he’s playing a grand final at the MCG and showed again just what football was to Andrew Krakouer, but also what a great contributor he was to football.”

He told Network 10’s The Project he was involved in the Magpies’ recruitment process in bringing Krakouer to the club.

“He told me that one night lying in his cell he basically wondered ‘what the hell has happened to my life’,” McGuire recounted.

Andrew Krakouer and Eddie McGuire. Photo: Yokayi Footy, SBS and 7News.

“We kept tabs on Andrew and we found out they had a pretty strong football competition in the jail in Perth. Andrew was getting himself really fit and wanted to have one last go at his career. Ultimately we were able to recruit him to Collingwood and within 12 months he’d taken the mark of the year, kicked the second-best goal of the year, and kicked three goals in a grand final.”

McGuire shared that Krakouer had been gardening at his mum’s house in Perth when he is suspected to have suffered the heart attack.

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.

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.

He was de-listed by the Tigers at the end of the 2007 season as a result of his ongoing court proceedings.

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

It took only several 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.

Andrew Krakouer kicks a goal at the MCG.

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 who turned his life around after prison and became a motivational speaker as a proud Minang and Ingaarda leader.

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

His death left many devastated.

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

“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.

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

“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.

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.”

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 Eddie McGuire divulges private secret after AFL great Andrew Krakouer’s death