The Krak was back at NITV this week, with former Richmond and Collingwood player Andrew Krakouer making his first appearance on the Marngrook Footy Show for the season.
While there’s plenty of buzz around Western Australia football with the Eagles soaring and the Dockers one game outside the eight, Andrew gave viewers an update on a few of the state’s young Indigenous boys who we’ve been hearing about this year.
First up was Harley Bennell, who has started the season playing in the Peel Thunder after missing large portions of Fremantle’s preseason.
“I spoke with Harley during the week, he’s in really good spirits and it’s probably the best he’s felt mentally and physically for a long time,” Andrew said on Wednesday night.
“He also praised the support he got off Ross Lyon as well which is really important so that’s pleasing to hear.
“Hopefully he can play a few more games in the WAFL and get out on the big stage before too long.”
In his playing days Krak was never shy of a big mark on a big stage, and from what we’ve seen so far, the same could be said about the Eagles Liam Ryan.
After making his AFL debut in Round 1 this year, Ryan booted 8 goals in 3 games, before suffering an ankle injury which will sideline him for three months.
But Andrew says the small glimpse we have seen of Ryan is just a taste of what’s to come.
“Liam did a really good apprenticeship in the WAFL over the last couple of years before he came into the AFL system.
“I think that in the WAFL, before he was brought into the AFL, of the top five marks of the year, he had four of them.
“Hopefully he’s going alright with his rehab and before not too long he will be back out there.”
The last name on Andrew’s hit list for this week was Tim Kelly, who was taken by Geelong with pick 24 in the 2017 National Draft.
Kelly is a mature aged recruit who made his AFL debut in Round 1 and hasn’t missed a game since, once again showing recruiters there is still a wealth of talent there to be unearthed amongst older players in the state leagues.
“He’s come in like a duck to water and his transition has been amazing.
“Tim played at South Fremantle for a little while and was runner up in the Sandover Medal last year but he’s had a pretty consistent couple of years before that as well, before he got his opportunity.”
Keep an eye out for Andrew Krakouer who will be back on the Marngrook Footy Show throughout the season!
Catch The Marngrook Footy Show every Wednesday night 8.30pm on NITV (Ch.34).
