Krakouer set to stay home - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Krakouer set to stay home

By Guy Hand 12/11/2010 07:16:15 PM Comments (0)

Collingwood have given up hope of recruit Andrew Krakouer joining their AFL pre-season training camp in the United States, with no word late on Friday whether he would be allowed into the country.

Krakouer's criminal record has proved a stumbling block to obtaining a US visa, with the team set to leave Australia for Arizona on Sunday.

The ex-Richmond player spent more than a year in jail on assault charges before Collingwood resurrected his AFL career in trade week after he had impressed in the West Australian Football League with Swan Districts.

But the club confirmed that by close of business Friday US immigration officials had not yet approved Krakouer's visa application.

He is now almost certain to remain at home.

"At this stage Andrew won't be travelling," a Magpies spokesman said.

"We fully respect and adhere to the strict standards set by the US Embassy.

"If Andrew remains back in the country, he will be put into a training program similar to (other) players who are also staying at home for other reasons."

As the full Collingwood squad trained on Friday for the first time since their premiership win last month, skipper Nick Maxwell said Krakouer had impressed all with his dedication to rebuilding his AFL career.

"You speak to the coaches and they've been blown away by how committed he (Krakouer) is to his footy, how much extra work he's doing," Maxwell said.

Krakouer and ex-Fremantle defender Chris Tarrant took part in Friday's session, along with the majority of the team who won the premiership with a grand final replay win over St Kilda.

Maxwell said he was confident there would be no drop off in their hunger in 2011 despite the Pies reaching the pinnacle.

"Having seen the guys come back today, that won't be the case," Maxwell said.

"Business starts again. You speak to a lot of premiership players and they say as soon as you've got one, you want two even more.

"Now I know exactly what they're talking about.

"When you bring in other guys like Andrew Krakouer and Chris Tarrant, they weren't there last year and they'll be doing everything they can to get us close again."

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