WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following article contains the name and images of a deceased person.
Andrew Krakouer was a 20-year-old, playing just his 19th game of AFL football, when he produced a breakout, match-winning performance for Richmond in a big 2003 clash with Essendon at the MCG.
The silky-skilled, small forward emulated his famous football father, Jim, and uncle, Phil, finishing the match with 14 disposals, six tackles and five team-lifting goals.
He was the catalyst for the Tigers defying the odds to topple the Bombers by 42 points – 11.18 (84) to 5.12 (42).
Although Richmond was fifth on the ladder and Essendon sixth going into this Round 7 encounter on the Saturday afternoon of May 10, the Bombers were warm favourites. This was largely due to the fact that the Tigers were severely undermanned, with star players in captain Wayne Campbell, Matthew Richardson, Brad Ottens and Duncan Kellaway missing through injury.
But young Krakouer stepped up in superb style, much to the delight of the Tiger Army, who had been eagerly awaiting the day he translated his exciting cameo efforts into something more substantial.
The May 2003 match v Essendon pre-dated the blockbuster ‘Dreamtime at the G’ clashes between the two teams. Had Krakouer’s superb showing been in a Dreamtime encounter, it’s likely he would have been the recipient of the Yiooken Award for being best-on-ground.
Two of Krakouer’s goals came from free-kicks, one from a mark, one was a trademark clever ‘crumb’, and the other a brilliant snap.
After Krakouer had kicked his fifth goal for the afternoon, Channel Ten commentator Michael Christian said: “What a performance from Andrew Krakouer – five goals, two marks, 13 disposals. He has been the difference between the two sides.”
Post-game, Krakouer was typically modest and low-key in assessing his dazzling display.
"It felt great to get a win over the Bombers. I played my role in what was a real team effort, and I was pleased with that," he said.
