NATHAN Krakouer will return to Port Adelaide’s AFL side this weekend having served a six-week suspension imposed by the club’s leadership group.
Krakouer returned to football last week – in the SANFL – and has earned a call-up to the Power line-up for Saturday against the Tigers.
The defender was originally suspended following an off-field incident while on leave in Perth, which saw him suffer a fractured jaw.
Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley told portadelaidefc.com.au the 27-year-old had worked hard to make amends for his conduct in the pre-season.
“Krak had to spend a couple of weeks away looking after himself,” Hinkley said.
“He had to support himself to build that trust back by initially only training with the SANFL group.
“He eventually integrated himself back into the AFL group and showed he was going to do whatever it took to win the trust of the club back.”
Hinkley said there were no guarantees for Krakouer through serving his suspension, but by completing the six-week period without further issue allowed him the best chance to earn his place in the team.
“Everyone makes mistakes, it’s the response to that which shows whether a player truly is sorry,” Hinkley said.
“The ban is about giving him the chance to show he’s prepared to do something to prove the mistake won’t happen again.”
Nathan Krakouer was named among five changes to the Power’s line-up for Saturday night’s game against Richmond at the MCG.
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