The exciting small forward will join Brent Macaffer in writing the next chapter of one of the most remarkable football stories of the season when the pair return together less than six months after undergoing knee surgery.
Listen to Krakouer reflect on his return to senior football in the video player above.
Having only played 30 minutes of football since last year’s Grand Final loss, the 29-year-old is itching to get amongst the action again.
“Nerves, excitement, the uncertainty, there’s a few there, but I’m pretty sure that once I get out there and get amongst it I’ll be away pretty quickly,” Krakouer told collingwoodfc.com.au.
“I’m just looking forward to getting out there and having a run around with the boys. To get back and play footy and get amongst it.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be a bit nervous and excited so just getting out there and having a run around will be good for me.”
Krakouer injured his knee early in the second quarter of Collingwood’s long-forgotten VFL practice match against Geelong at Simonds Stadium on February 25.
Hear Brent Macaffer talk about his return from knee surgery on CTV.
He has worked closely with Macaffer, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament seven days earlier in the NAB Cup, and says that the two were able to spur each other on during the hardest periods of their rehabilitation.
“We’ve done a fair bit of work together. We’ve been training every day together so we’ve got a fairly good bond,” Krakouer reflected.
“We’ve probably helped each other get through a fair bit. There would have been days when we’re both flat and both struggling but it’s a bit unfortunate, you don’t want anyone else to go through what we’ve gone through, but fortunately enough we’ve been able to go through it together so we’ve created a good bond there.
“We’ve worked hard and there’s light at the end of the tunnel for both of us which is good.”
Krakouer, who snagged 35 goals in his first season at the Westpac Centre in 2011, also praised the work of the club’s medical staff in ensuring that both he and Macaffer were ready for senior football.
Andrew Krakouer is ready to return to the playing field against Bendigo on Saturday at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
