A North Melbourne legend has been recognised for his contributions to Western Australian football, with Jim Krakouer being named as the newest inductee at the WAFL Hall of Fame.
An exceptionally silky forward throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s, Krakouer formed a lethal partnership with his brother Phil, at both North and Claremont.
Krakouer kicked 214 goals in 88 games for the WAFL side, with his final game before moving to Victoria the 1981 premiership triumph over South Fremantle.
He also won the Simpson Medal for his performance in Western Australia’s victory over South Australia in the same year.
Of course, Roos fans will remember him fondly for his time at Arden Street, with Krakouer winning the 1986 Syd Barker Medal and twice being the club’s leading goal-kicker, as well as his induction into the North Melbourne Hall of Fame in 2016.
Long-time Shinboner and current club AFLW coach Darren Crocker shared half a decade on North’s list with Krakouer, and had a front row seat to witness one of the Roos’ all-time greats.
“Jimmy was a pretty quiet sort of fella, but gee, he was a fiery customer on it. He was definitely someone you wanted on your side,” Crocker told North Media.
“1985 was my first year of playing and I used to just stand back in amazement at what he could do. He had that unbelievable combination of being mercurial as well as being really tough and hard.
“I played with guys like Keith Greig, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Ross Glendinning when they were more at the ends of their careers, but when I played with Jimmy he was probably in his prime, and he was a super player.
“People ask me who the best players I played with are … Wayne Carey is probably the best, but I always say Jimmy Krakouer was the best player I played with until Wayne came along. That’s how highly I regard Jimmy as a footballer.”
Established in 2002, the WAFL Hall of Fame contains some of the all-time great names in football.
Jim Krakouer’s name will now rest comfortably amongst the likes of fellow North icons Ross Glendinning, Barry Cable and Peter Bell, along with greats like Glen Jakovich, Nicky Winmar and Gary Buckenara.
Crocker says his former teammate will be proud of his massive achievement.
“It would be a huge honour for him (Krakouer), but at the same time he’s not the type of person who’ll be going around telling everybody about it,” he added.
“I think he’ll be quietly very pleased, but he’d find such a great recognition very humbling … he’s an unbelievably humble person.”
