Australian Football Association of North America

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

In times of trouble, family, friends and a good support network can work miracles. Former Richmond Tiger and current Collingwood recruit Andrew Krakouer can attest to that as he has had an abundance of support while in prison and since his release. While in jail, he found ways to stay fit and joined the prison footy team. Once paroled, he joined Swan Districts in the WAFL and helped them win the 2010 Premiership.

He is only the second player (after former North Melbourne Kangaroo Barry Cable) to win best on ground in the WAFL Grand Final along with the Premiership medal, the Swan Districts best and fairest and the Sandover Medal (WAFL equivalent of the Brownlow). Last week, Krakouer had a chat with Melbourne Age sports writer Caroline Wilson and told her how footy was, and is, his salvation.

This author must defer to the professional writing of Ms Wilson as anything summarized would not do proper justice to the story. Please click on the link below to read the story in full. It is a story that had to be told and is a must read.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/how-football-saved-krakouer-20101020-16u8u.html