Case won't effect Krakouer's future
By Sam Lienert
October 19, 2007
An ongoing court case involving an assault charge against Richmond's Andrew Krakouer will not affect the AFL club's decision on whether or not to retain him, according to Tigers football director Greg Miller.
Krakouer faces a charge of intending to do assault occasioning bodily harm, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years jail, over an incident in Fremantle, Western Australia in December last year.
The case will come before the Fremantle Magistrates Court for mention on Monday, when a trial date is expected to be set down for some time next year.
Also next week, Miller and Richmond coach Terry Wallace will sit down to discuss potential delistings. Krakouer, 24, who has played for seven seasons without reaching the heights hoped of him, is one name certain to be discussed.
But Miller said the pending assault trial would not have a bearing on their decision.
“I don't think it makes any difference either way,” Miller said.
“It's not being considered. He's being considered totally on his football, his ability to present on the footy field.
“He's been fantastic at this footy club, he's just grown from strength to strength over the years.
“I don't want to discuss the issue that's happening over in Perth but we'll support him, no matter what happens.”
Krakouer played just nine senior games this season, taking his career tally to 102, but only two of those came after round nine, as he spent most of the second half of the year in the VFL.
The court case hanging over his head might have been a factor affecting his form.
But Miller said it was likely that he would have to deal with the same issue if he was kept on in 2008, as the case could stretch on to the end of the season.
“He's got to go through the process in court, to go through the process in court it might be next August or September, I don't know how long it takes - these things don't get mentioned one day and heard the next,” he said.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22614666-23210,00.html