Nathan Krakouer
Nathan Krakouer | |||
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![]() Krakouer playing for Port Adelaide in 2007 | |||
Personal information | |||
Full name | Nathan Rhys Krakouer | ||
Nickname(s) | Krak | ||
Date of birth | 5 May 1988 | ||
Original team(s) | Claremont (WAFL) | ||
Draft | No. 39, 2006 national draft | ||
Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||
Weight | 78 kg (172 lb) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder/defender | ||
Playing career1 | |||
Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
2007–2010 | Port Adelaide | 40 | (7)|
2011 | Gold Coast | 13 | (8)|
2015–2017 | Port Adelaide | 29 | (9)|
Total | 82 (24) | ||
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2017. | |||
Career highlights | |||
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Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com |
Nathan Krakouer (born 5 May 1988) is a former professional
Early life
Krakouer began his junior football in Western Australia before playing senior football with the Claremont Football Club at a young age.
In 2006 he represented Australia's indigenous youth on tour to South Africa with the "Flying Boomerangs" to play against the South African national Australian rules team.[1]
He was invited to 2006 AFL Draft Camp where despite weighing just 61 kilograms he impressed scouts with both acceleration and standing jump for his height.
AFL career
Port Adelaide (2007–2010)
The slightly-built rookie teenager was recruited by AFL club
Wearing the number 29 guernsey, he has played 11 games for Port in his debut 2007 AFL season, despite coach
His explosive speed and raw talent has been progressively emerging throughout the season. Notably, he played a crucial role in securing a win over North Melbourne in round 2, with a significant hand in three Port goals in 15 minutes; three such goals being in the last five minutes of the game. Krakouer was also the only Power player to take more than one inside-50 mark in Port's loss to the Crows in Showdown XXII.
At the end of round 7, Krakouer was ranked sixth among the AFL Rising Stars in total kicks and total marks, and seventh in total goals.[3]
In 2008, Krakouer managed just three games for the Power due to recurring soft tissue injuries, and was granted permission by the club to return home to Western Australia after suffering a season-ending hamstring strain in round 15. This led to speculation that Krakouer would seek a potential trade to the Fremantle Football Club or West Coast Eagles, two West Australian based clubs. However this never happened, with Krakouer stating: "I had a talk to Choco (Williams) and I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t tell him I wanted to go back. I felt like I couldn’t just walk out and I’m glad I didn’t."[4]
In 2009, an improvement in fitness and bulk in Krakouer saw him move to the backlines playing as a "sweeper role" and essentially replacing Peter Burgoyne who returned to his original position as a midfielder. Krakouer played well in this role, averaging over 20 possessions in the 2009 NAB Cup, and being named in the Power's round 1 game of the season.
Season 2010 was forgetful for Krakouer as he was limited to just seven games due to injuries and lack of form.
Gold Coast (2011)
On 1 September 2010, Krakouer signed a three-year deal with the
In December 2011, Krakouer was released by the Suns due to "personal reasons" despite being contracted to the end of the 2012 season.[6]
Return to Port Adelaide (2015–2017)
On 31 March, Krakouer was signed to play for the
Starting on the rookie list in 2015, he impressed in the pre-season trial matches and was quickly promoted from the rookie list to play his first AFL game for the Power since 2010 in round 3 as his accurate kicking and smooth movement off the half back line proved to be valuable. He played 7 games before being returned to the rookie list. He was immediately reinstated to the senior list as a mid season promotion and went on to play another 7 games for a return of 14 on the season.
At the conclusion of the 2017 season, Krakouer announced his retirement from AFL football.[9]
References
- ^ AFL Record. Round 9, 2008. p. 12
- ^ "Another Krakouer stands out at draft camp". ABC News. 6 October 2006.
- ^ "Nathan Krakouer of the Port Adelaide Power Player Profile and AFL Stats".
- ^ Junior Krakouer's reason to stay
- ^ "Gold Coast ready to pounce | Herald Sun". Archived from the original on 14 June 2011.
- ^ "Nathan Krakouer released by Suns". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australian Associated Press. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
- ^ "Final four Maggies confirmed". 31 March 2014.
- ^ Krakouer in mix for Port return
- ^ Agius, Matthew (4 October 2017). "Krakouer announces retirement from AFL". PortAdelaideFC.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Nathan Krakouer's profile on the official website of the Port Adelaide Football Club
- Nathan Krakouer's playing statistics from AFL Tables