WEST Coast champion Chris Lewis says he has no doubt Andrew Krakouer can become a key player at Collingwood.

Lewis, who is the indigenous welfare and talent manager at WAFL club Swan Districts, spent a lot of time mentoring Krakouer during the past year.

Their relationship not only helped the former Richmond forward get his life back on track after he had spent 16 months in jail following a conviction for assault, but it also inspired his re-emergence on the football field.

Krakouer dominated the WAFL competition in 2010, winning the Sandover Medal and guiding Swan Districts to a premiership with a best-on-ground performance in the grand final.

"Andrew's been one of the really interesting stories of the year," Lewis said on afl.com.au's Trade Week Radio on Thursday afternoon.

"He's had a really consistent and outstanding year. He had 51 possessions in one game late in the year, and he had a fairytale ending when he kicked the goal that put Swans in front in the grand final."

Gold Coast has agreed to pre-list Krakouer and trade him to Collingwood in exchange for pick No.25 in next month's NAB AFL Draft. The Pies will also receive young ruckman John Ceglar.

Lewis believes the 27-year-old can be a far better player at Collingwood than he was during his seven years at the Tigers.

"I don't think Richmond suited him as a footy club, so there were a couple of factors there," Lewis said.

"Obviously he's now been through one of those experiences where he's had the thing he loves doing most - footy - taken away from him, and how he's got an opportunity to get it back.

"He's matured a lot now, he's a really clever player, and I know Collingwood really rotate their midfield so that will suit him well."

Lewis said didn't want to see Krakouer resume in a forward role when he had so much to offer up the ground.

"What he really has been doing is breaking away from pack situations and breaking up the play," he said.

"He's good with his hands and when he gets the ball he just about always sets up a teammate."

Follow our complete coverage of the 2010 AFL exchange period from October 5-11. No trades are official until paperwork has been accepted by the AFL and formally recognised after 2pm on Monday, October 11.

Join the AFL trade conversation on Twitter: use #tradeweek in your tweets.