DARREN MONCRIEFF
Saturday 25 February 2012
IF anyone can deal with diversity, whether by his own making or from external forces, it is Andrew Krakouer, so he will need all his resolve to deal with yet another setback in his professional life.
Krakouer (pictured) seriously injured his knee in a VFL practice match this morning.
The 29-year-old, back in Melbourne after returning to Western Australia for personal reasons, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the second quarter while playing for Collingwood against Geelong at Simmonds Stadium earlier today.
His manager Peter Jess said Krakouer could explore the LARS option to mend his knee. LARS is the radical surgical technique which has seen athletes return to action up to six weeks after the operation.
Krakouer is said to be upbeat and positive despite the seriousness of the injury.
"It is extremely disappointing for Andrew and the club that this injury has occurred," Collingwood's director of football Geoff Walsh said.
"Andrew will meet with the (club's) surgeon over the next few days to discuss the surgery and rehabilitation process."
After 102 games with Richmond, Krakouer was delisted by the Tigers in 2007.
He returned to WA where he joined WAFL club Swan Districts where he would play a key role in securing the Black Ducks' their first premiership in 20 years when they defeated Claremont by one point in 2010.
Krakouer had a standout 2010 season in the WAFL and it culminated in a Sandover Medal (where he became just the ninth Indigenous player to win the coveted award) and premiership triumph.
In the WAFL Grand Final, Krakouer amassed an incredible 42 possessions and kicked four goals, including the sealer in the 33rd minute of the final quarter. He was judged best-on-ground and was awarded the Simpson Medal.
His efforts were rewarded with AFL draft selection by Collingwood and he was one of the Magpies' best in their ultimately unsuccessful tilt at back-to-back flags in 2011.
In 2011 Krakouer won the AFL Mark of the Year award.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 25/02/2012 18:06