Former Richmond forward Andrew Krakouer is eyeing a return to AFL ranks, believing his stint in jail could actually extend his playing career.

Krakouer's AFL dream appeared over when he was delisted by the Tigers after 102 games and then jailed for assault in 2008.

The 27-year-old was freed on parole late last year and made the most of his second chance, starring for WAFL club Swan Districts this season to win the Sandover Medal as the competition's best player.

Krakouer said he gained a new appreciation for life during his 16 months behind bars and vowed to repay the faith of any AFL club willing to take the punt on him.

"The time I spent away (in prison) I didn't have that intense training and contact with the body all the time," Krakouer said on Tuesday.

"I think it might have (helped prolong my career).

"The body's feeling fresh and good.

"This is the best footy I've ever played.

"If something came up it would be great.

"If an opportunity came up wherever, you'd love to have a crack at it."

Helping Krakouer's cause is the generous draft concessions Gold Coast will receive this year, which in turn has encouraged rival AFL clubs to take a closer look at mature-age players running around in State ranks.

Krakouer played predominantly through the midfield for Swan Districts, averaging almost 27 possessions a game and booting 35 goals.

The speedster hoped his story would inspire others who had hit troubled times.

"Everyone has downs and bad things happen but if you've got the right people and the right kind of support and you are positive about things, things can turn around," Krakouer said.

"Hopefully people can take a look at this and realise things can turn around if you put the hard work into it.

"Once it (your freedom) gets taken away ... you just realise how important little things are in life. Just to be able to go for a walk, do your own thing."

Krakouer said his father Jim, who was a star at North Melbourne during the '80s before spending eight years in jail for trafficking amphetamines, was proud of how he turned his life around.

"He just expressed how proud he is and told me to get to where you are from where you've come from ... is a great effort," Andrew Krakouer said.

But while Krakouer is hopeful of earning an AFL return, his immediate thoughts centre on helping lift Swan Districts to the premiership in Sunday's grand final against Claremont.

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