Former Collingwood boss Eddie McGuire has revealed new details about the tragic death of Andrew Krakouer, including what the 42-year-old footy star was doing at the time of his suspected heart attack.

The footy world is in mourning for the former Richmond and Collingwood AFL player who notched up 102 games for the Tigers (2001-2007) and 35 for the Magpies (2011-2013), kicking three goals in the Pies’ 2011 grand-final loss to Geelong.

On Monday night, McGuire spoke about Krakouer, giving new information about his sudden death over the weekend.

‘He had just gone back to Perth,’ McGuire told The Project on Channel 10. 

‘It’s my understanding that he was gardening in his mother’s front garden when he had a heart attack and couldn’t be revived. Our hearts are breaking.’

Krakouer’s second stint in the AFL came after he was jailed in 2008 for 16 months over a serious assault, with McGuire also revealing new details about how he made his inspirational return to the league.

‘He told me that one night lying in his cell he basically wondered “what the hell has happened to my life”,’ McGuire said.

‘We [Collingwood] kept tabs on Andrew and we found out they had a pretty strong football competition in the jail in Perth. Andrew was getting himself really fit and wanted to have one last go at his career. 

‘Ultimately we were able to recruit him to Collingwood and within 12 months he’d taken the mark of the year, kicked the second-best goal of the year, and kicked three goals in a grand final.’

Richmond and Collingwood figures led tributes to Krakouer, with both clubs saying they were ‘deeply saddened’.

Tigers great Matthew Richardson remembered Krakouer as ‘a beautiful man who was loved by all his teammates’.

‘He always greeted you with a hug and a warm smile,’ Richardson said.

‘He had a great sense of humour and was one of those people you felt really good to be around. Just a ripper person.

‘As a player, he was super talented.

‘He was the best crumbing forward I played with … the perfect crumber, and he was a good mark for his size as well.

‘When he was on song, he was unbeatable.’

Krakouer fell out with Collingwood following the 2021 ‘Do Better’ report into allegations of racism, but made peace with the club the following year.

Former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley described the 2011 mark-of-the-year winner as ‘a genius’ who could do ‘special things’ on the field.

‘He made the most of his opportunities,’ Buckley said on SEN.

‘He was troubled at times, but what a brilliant footballer.

‘Really calm, quiet teammate who was respectful and went about his business.’

‘He loved the game, found a way to impact and could do things other players couldn’t do. He was exceptional.’

Krakouer was a star at state-league level, delivering a brilliant 2010 WAFL season that earned him a second chance in the AFL.

He won the Sandover Medal as the WAFL’s best player that season and was awarded the Simpson Medal as best afield in Swan Districts’ grand final win over Claremont.

Krakouer tallied 42 disposals and four goals in the decider, kicking the match-winner in the dying seconds of a one-point victory that clinched Swans’ first premiership in 20 years.

GWS star and former Swans teammate Stephen Coniglio said his ‘hero’ Krakouer had a significant influence on him.

‘I can’t even begin to think where my career and life would have headed if I never had met you,’ Coniglio posted on Instagram.

‘You overcame so much of your own adversity only to give back to mine and many others.’

Krakouer kicked 35 goals in 23 games during his 2011 AFL comeback but ruptured an ACL during the following pre-season.

He returned late in 2012 but was delisted by Collingwood at the end of 2013.

Krakouer later worked in football media and co-authored a children’s book – My Dad’s Gone Away – which addressed the experiences of children with incarcerated parents.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said Krakouer would be remembered for the work he had done to turn his life around, becoming a leader in addressing school and community groups while building a media career.

‘To lose him at such an early age is a tragedy, and we hope there can be some peace for his family in this heart-breaking and difficult time,’ Dillon said.

Krakouer’s father Jim and uncle Phil were stars with Claremont in the WAFL and North Melbourne in the VFL in the 1980s.