It was a wet and wintery night when a handful of GIANTS made the trip to Sydney’s York Theatre for what was a truly inspirational stage production of two brothers who took the football world by storm, Phil and Jim Krakouer.

The Krakouer brothers are two Indigenous AFL players from Western Australia. The pair captured the imagination of the Nation with their unique brand of football when they were playing for the North Melbourne Kangaroos and Richmond Tigers.

‘Krakouer’ the play tells the story of the challenges the pair faced in their rise to the top of their game, their skill, bravery and resilience, both on and off the sporting field and the controversy and hardships they met throughout their lives.

Reporter, Jessica Sheedy caught up with GIANTS Innovation and Development Manager, Alan McConnell and some of the GIANTS young Indigenous players including Nathan Wilson, Jarrod Harding and Rhys Cooyou to discuss their thoughts on the production of ‘Krakouer’.

Alan, what were your thoughts on ‘KRAKEOUR’? And how do you think a story like this educates some of the young Indigenous boys at the GIANTS?

I thought it was a fantastic production and a very creative way of telling a very unique story.

It helps our boys to know that the challenges they have faced aren’t unique and there are others that have had similar journeys to the ones they are on.

There was a consistent message in the play. One of the things that created a sense of resilience for the Krakouer boys was their ability to understand that other boys always had a more difficult story than their own, whether that meant moving away from home, dealing with racism or other personal issues.

Who went to see the show from the GIANTS?

Curtly Hampton, Gerald Ugle, Jarrod Harding, Nathan Wilson, Rhys Cooyou and myself went to see the play.

What sort of feedback did you receive off some of the GIANTS boys about the show?

I think for starters going to the theatre was a unique experience for the boys. I think some of them could identify with unique parts in the play.

I spoke to Curtly Hampton earlier this morning and just knowing that it was central to a topic of conversation is a good thing. It’s provided them with topics of conversation beyond the proximity of the production. It’s throwing up ideas and thoughts they are able to converse with their peers on so it becomes a forum to facilitate discussion about important issues.

What sort of influence do you think indigenous stars like the Krakouer brothers have on young Indigenous players today and in particular players at the GIANTS?

Phil (Krakouer) spoke after the production and said he didn’t think they had changed the landscape of the game but that they had put a whole lot of ideas on the table for discussion in the wider community.

The changing face of the AFL is becoming a more and more multicultural one. What challenges do you think young Indigenous players are likely to face in the future?

I think all of the issues highlighted in the play still exist but the challenges aren’t as great as they were for the Krakouer’s. There are still issues in relation to jealousy, cultural misunderstanding and relocating from home. We are moving forward and addressing those things rather than sweeping them under the table. If you look at the number of Indigenous players in our game today it suggests that we have come somewhere in facilitating Indigenous people in AFL.

The GIANTS are entering the AFL next season, how do you think some of the GIANTS boys will go up against the later generation of Krakeour stars in Nathan Krakouer (GC Suns) and Andrew Krakouer (Collingwood)?

You look at the number of Indigenous players that have won the Norm Smith medal in comparison to the number of Indigenous players in the AFL and they are over represented in that group. I hope that we have got a future norm smith winner in our group, I’m talking about the next Michael Long, Andrew McLeod, Byron Picket, and Maurice Rioli.

I hope that KRAKOUER has inspired them. Everyone has their demons and issues but their are lots of others that have gone before them and there are things that can be done. I think that was the message Jim Krakouer wanted to portray last night.

It was just a really great story it was light hearted, it was entertaining, it opened up a lot of issues that still need to be confronted but it was also funny and entertaining the way they did it.

Rhys Cooyou

“It was the best thing I have ever experienced, it had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through and I really enjoyed it. I learnt that you only get one chance at something you love and that you have to take that opportunity with both hands, run with it and make the most of it because you never know what’s around the corner and for me to watch that really opened my eyes.

I rated the night a 10/10.”

Jarrod Harding
 

“It was a great play and I learnt a lot from their family and what both the Krakouer boys went through in the careers.

I rate ‘Krakouer’ a 9/10.”

Nathan Wilson
 

“It was a great way to see what the Krakouer brothers went through and to see some of the troubles they had to face in their lives.

I rated the show a 9/10.”