Krakouer craves consistency
5:23:28 PM Tue 22 June, 2004
Bren O'Brien
Sportal/exclusive to afl.com.au
When Richmond youngster Andrew Krakouer set out for his goals for 2004, consistency was on the top of his list.
Having not missed a game in the first 13 weeks and transformed himself from a crumbing forward to a hard-working midfielder, the skinny lad from Western Australia who the Tigers marked out as a special project on draft day 2000 is finally starting to repay the club’s faith.
Krakouer attributes his more consistent contribution to a better attitude to the game and a stronger pre-season, but admits he still has his ups and downs.
“Probably just a better pre-season. The coaches have given me the opportunity to play in the midfield. The first five or six games I was able to play consistently, probably the last month or so I’ve dropped off a bit. There were some signs there on the weekend that will change coming into the last nine weeks,” Krakouer said.
The rotation between the midfield and the forward line has allowed Krakouer to get more of the ball. In the 34 games he’d played prior to this year he had only had more than ten possessions four times. So far in 2004, he has managed that feat in all but two games.
“The more you get it, the more you want the ball,” Krakouer said. “The more I get it, it gives me confidence. It’s a lot easier than just waiting in the forward line for the ball to come down,” Krakouer said.
Krakouer attributes the arrival of Nathan Brown at Punt Road as a real influence on his style of play and he now counts the prolific onballer/forward as a mentor.
“I like the way Nathan Brown plays, I talk to Browny sometimes. We play similar positions and we often swap with one of us going forward and one going on the ball.”
The 21-year-old from South Fremantle has also been impressed by the leadership style of captain Wayne Campbell, who claimed AFL life membership in last Saturday night’s defeat to Carlton.
“I get along really well with Wayne. He doesn’t put too much pressure on you,” he said. “He’s a great captain, he’s a great player, and I’m just honoured to play under him. He makes you really relaxed and helps you to go out there and do the right thing.”
While the injury-prone Mark Coughlan has been the public face of the young Tigers’ engine room, Krakouer said there is plenty of promise among the lower-profile on-ballers.
“A few boys have stepped up very well with Coughlan being injured,” he said. “Chris Hyde and Chris Newman, Hydey especially, have come along really well and have continued to improve with every game, the club probably needs just a bit more depth.”
On a personal level, Krakouer’s aims haven’t changed since the pre-season. Much like his club, he wants to be able to do the job well every week.
“I’ve still got a bit to give. I want an even spread, some real consistency over the last nine games,” Krakouer said. “It’s probably the same for the team, we want to win more games than we lose and find a level which we can stay at.”
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