we all know andy krak has not been his usual self. i personally am starting to get worried and had a theory or feeling that he wants to be a roo! his father was a legend there and has a role to as a mentoring some of the "brotherhood" there.
i think the tigers should really start considering thinking about a direct trade with the kangas at years end, something tells me since his step father "spud" has gone he no longer feels confortable at the club.
now this is just a theory i have , imnot quoting anyone or saying i have heard a whisper, but i would have thought since jimmy was out of the can and watching him play he would have actually turned up a gear instead he has shifted the gear stick to neutral!
this is from "the age"
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2005/04/27/1114462102011.htmlKicking on with Krakouer
April 28, 2005
Jimmy Krakouer, flanked by new charges Daniel Wells, left, and Eddie Sansbury, takes a break from bombing in goals from the boundary line.
Photo: Vince Caligiuri
Three young Aboriginal players have welcomed Jimmy Krakouer as their mentor. Karen Lyon reports.
Training at Arden Street is almost complete but Jim Krakouer is still taking shots at goal from the boundary line underneath the fading Harold Henderson Pavilion.
With the former North Melbourne champion are Daniel Wells and Eddie Sansbury. It's all smiles and laughs and goals. Just like in his glory days, when he teamed brilliantly with his younger brother Phil, Jim Krakouer doesn't miss.
"He just slots them through from the boundary line," said Sansbury admiringly. "He just puts them through easy."
It has become a Wednesday morning ritual at the Kangaroos. Krakouer having a kick with Wells, Sansbury and the injured Daniel Motlop, offering a few words of advice and a bit of support before the main training session begins.
advertisement
advertisement
"He just tells me the simple things that everybody else seems to forget to tell you," says Wells. "He says: 'Just go out and have fun, enjoy yourself; if you have a bad game forget about it, there is always next week to redeem yourself.' Just the simple small things."
Krakouer has returned to Arden Street as a mentor for the Roos' talented trio of indigenous players. The move has reconnected him to the game he loved after serving more than eight years' jail in Western Australia for drug trafficking.
He is thrilled to be back, and has already developed a deep bond with Wells, Sansbury and Motlop.
"I love it," Krakouer said yesterday. "Dean (Laidley) and the rest of the Kanga people have all made me feel welcome, and the players, it's been really good."
Krakouer is modest about his role at Arden Street.
"We all get on well and respect one and other, so things have been good. I don't tell them much about footy because they can all play pretty well themselves. I just like watching them play, when I go to the games. I like watching them have good games, with the rest of the Kangas boys."
Motlop believes he has plenty to learn from the Krakouer brothers. He has asked Jim to bring in videos of his games to see their famous magic first hand.
"I asked him today actually: 'Did you actually look for each other?' He said: 'No, Phil just happened to be there,' " Motlop said. "It's the same with me and Wellsy - we don't really look for each, but I know that when he gets the ball, I am going to lead harder because he is going to kick it to me."
It delights Motlop to hear the awe in which North Melbourne people hold Krakouer.
"It's how they speak about him. I haven't heard many people spoken about like that. You get Wayne Carey, about how good he was, and Jimmy, and because he is indigenous too, and I know how much they respect him. That helps me."
Sansbury has found Krakouer a willing and patient listener, a sounding board and reliable confidant.
"I can talk to him about stuff that I wouldn't talk to with anyone else," he said. "Everybody has their differences at the club but there are things I feel I can talk to Jimmy about, just have a little yarn. His advice is always positive."
Former teammate Tim Harrington, now North Melbourne's football manager, said while others got tied up in the ever-growing tactical battles, Krakouer's philosophy had always been to watch the ball and push closer to the contest, despite how small he was.
"When people actually see him at that size they realise he must have been something special," Harrington said. "And the people who saw him play know that he was."
Yesterday morning, tucked in the pocket with Wells and Sansbury, Jim Krakouer looked like he could take to the field on a Saturday afternoon.
"The old legs are not the best now . . . the mind wants to but the body doesn't. The training sessions will do for now."
