North Melbourne champion Darren Crocker says he regrets not having been more educated about racism when playing alongside Indigenous greats Phil and Jim Krakouer. 

Crocker, who played with both Krakouer brothers during his 165 games for the Kangaroos, told the 'Happy Dais' podcast he wishes he could have done more to stand up against the racist abuse the pair suffered during their playing careers.

“As a young person playing with them, to hear the abuse from not only over the fence but also from opposition on the field, looking back on it is quite disturbing,” Crocker said in the latest 'Happy Dais' episode.

“I feel really privileged to have played with both of them, but I wish I was more educated about racism at the time.

“If I had been more educated, a bit older, a bit more experienced, I feel like I probably could have stood up for them more.”

Following a storied playing career that included the 1996 AFL premiership, Crocker returned to Arden Street in 2004 in a coaching capacity and has been at the club ever since.

He became the club's second ever AFLW coach in 2020, and credits his family with helping encourage him to make the move.

“It was probably the women in my family, my wife and two daughters, who really convinced me [to coach AFLW],” Crocker said.

“I remember sitting at dinner and putting it out there on the table. ‘What do you guys think? It’s totally different for me, it’s going to be a challenge, what do you think?’

“They were really supportive. My wife has always been really supportive in whatever I’ve done, but to hear it come from my daughters, a 23 year old and a 19 year old … was really the thing that got me over the line.”

To hear Crocker discuss his playing experiences, the culture at North Melbourne, and the greatest player he ever played with, listen to the full episode of ‘Happy Dais’.