Okay, let’s find some positives in the opening three rounds of the 2004 season . . .

Despite two losses in the past fortnight, it hasn’t been all doom and gloom.

Three players stand out; two come as no surprise.

Nathan Brown has matched the high expectations of all Richmond supporters and has been among the Tigers’ best in each game. Relieved of goal-scoring responsibilities, and allowed to spend more time in the midfield, he’s clearly enjoying his footy again.

Brad Ottens could well assume the mantle as the competition’s number one ruckman with Michael Gardiner and Matthew Primus continuing their bad run of luck with injuries. All he’ll have to do is maintain the output shown in the first three rounds of ’04 – the big fella’s certainly in fine form.

But the surprise packet has been a young bloke who’s made good on his label as a ‘project’ player for the Club.

Andrew Krakouer, the son of former North Melbourne champion Jim Krakouer, had shown glimpses of his talent since being drafted in late 2000, with pick 41, from South Fremantle – a fortuitous call by the Tigers as the Kangaroos had planned to snap him up with selection 42.

He’s always had that something special – “that Krakouer magic”– but the 21-year-old has had to work very hard to get where he is today.

The steps forward over the past three years have been small, as he chalked up a modest 34 senior appearances. Mind you, there have been beacons along the way, such as his match-winning five-goal performance against Essendon last season.

But smarter training during the pre-season, and resultant improved fitness, have been the keys to the significant step he seems to have taken already in 2004.

Krakouer was rated one of the Tigers’ best performers of the summer, as he set about building a body and fitness levels to make the move into the midfield, which had long been his goal.
Looking at him, the physical improvements aren’t immediately obvious. He added about four or five kilograms during the pre-season to his 2003 playing weight. And, some hard muscle and a hard resolve have replaced that wiry frame.

The results have been most impressive. In the season-opening victory over Collingwood, Krakouer had 19 touches, five marks and five clearances.

But the most pleasing aspect of that display was his hardness at the footy. Tiger fans repeatedly applauded Krakouer’s efforts as time and again he put his body on the line despite copping some ferocious knocks at the bottom of the pack.

Pleasingly, he’s been able to maintain similar commitment towards the footy in subsequent games, and has not fallen below 15 disposals for the season.

Like all young players, major tests lie ahead for Andrew Krakouer. Having taken the step into the Richmond midfield, he’ll be desperate to hold down a permanent spot and become a consistent contributor alongside the likes of Kane Johnson, Mark Coughlan, Nathan Brown and Wayne Campbell.

But, if he can apply the same dedication shown last pre-season, to his efforts throughout the premiership season, this young man is capable of building a league football career to rival that of father Jim and uncle Phil.