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Andrew Slevison • March 31st, 2025 12:50 pm
Nathan Buckley has paid tribute to Andrew Krakouer who passed away on Sunday.
Channel 7 reported that the former Richmond and Collingwood player died from a suspected heart attack at the age of 42 in Perth.
Buckley coached Krakouer at the Magpies in 2012 and 2013.
“That’s tragic stuff, so young at 42,” said Buckley on SEN’s Whateley.
“Geez, he went through a bit ion his life, ‘Krak’. He probably had the worst of it and the best of it.
“He showed real grit to fight back and do what he did in his career.
“He made the most of his opportunities. He was troubled at times, but what a brilliant footballer.
“A really calm and 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.”
Krakouer’s best season for the Pies came in 2011 with Buckley as assistant coach when he played 23 games and kicked 35 goals, including three majors in the losing Grand Final.
He did not play at senior level in 2012 until Round 23 before featuring in three finals under Buckley, who was in shock when speaking of the news.
“We would get him in whenever we could,” Buckley added.
“He was just a genius, he was just a player that could do the special things. The hanger he took in 2011 at Marvel was elite (when he took Mark of the Year).
“He just loved the game, found a way to impact and could do things that other plays couldn’t do. He was exceptional.
“That’s a bit of a shock.”
Krakouer played 102 games and kicked 102 goals for the Tigers between 2001 and 2007 before adding a further 35 games and 50 goals to his name for the Pies.
