ANDREW KRAKOUER RETIRES FROM WAFL FOOTBALL

THE WEST Perth Football Club wishes to confirm that Andrew Krakouer has announced his retirement from WAFL football.

The former AFL and Swan Districts star who won the 2010 Simpson and Sandover Medals as well as being a premiership player joined the West Perth Football Club ahead of the 2013 WAFL season when his time with Collingwood came to an end.

However, he has been limited to just three reserves and four league appearance so far this year, and has been battling a knee complaint since the Round 9 victory over Subiaco at Leederville's Medibank Stadium.

The 31-year-old has now made the decision to bring an end his playing career at the top level which included 137 games in the AFL with Richmond and Collingwood, one appearance for Western Australia, and 36 WAFL matches with Swan Districts and West Perth, and one of the most remarkable individual seasons on record in 2010.

Krakouer informed West Perth coach Bill Monaghan and the board of directors this week of his decision that a combination of his knee complaint and losing some of the desire to commit to WAFL football have led to his decision to announce his retirement effective immediately.

In a detailed letter sent to the club Krakouer stated, "I would like to thank everyone at the West Perth Football Club for the opportunities throughout my time at the club. I am extremely grateful with the chance they gave me at the latter point of my career. What they have done for my family and I, will be forever appreciated," Krakouer said.

"However I honestly feel that I can now no longer meet these requirements, and I feel that creating positions for new up and coming talent will be more beneficial for the West Perth Football Club."

Krakouer has also requested he be allowed to play with the Bassendean Amateur Football Club for the remainder of 2014.

"I have no intention to join another WAFL club; however a lifelong dream has always been to finish my career by playing ‘park football’ with my mates. I am requesting that the West Perth FC assist me by granting me a release to the Bassendean FC," Krakouer said.

Krakouer will continue his work with the West Perth Football Club in the community including his hands on role with the club’s Djinda Falcons program. 

"I am still very much committed to continuing with my role as a mentor to Indigenous youth within the community, as part of West Perth’s community based programs, and as agreed upon when I initially signed with the West Perth FC," Krakouer said.

"This area of work is a major passion of mine, and one that I want to continue on with. I also want to make myself available for any other roles that may benefit the West Perth FC in the future."