Chris Knights - 2007

[Postman Pat]

Neil Craig said on 5AA that he (amongst a couple of others, but him specifically) will be accelerated in the Crows midfield.

This year he got approximately half a games worth of game time, usually starting on the bench each quarter and coming on to finish. Infact, he even had the most possies per minute on average out of anyone from Port and the Crows, and given he beat Goodwin who finished high in the disposals count in the AFL, possibly even top 2-3 in the AFL.

He is a neat handballer, great with the hands and seems to get his hands free for a handball almost everytime. he can read the play as good as anyone, gets leather poisoning, but the one thing (which everyone knows) is his kicking.

Can the crows get someone in to fix up his kicking, because if he could fix his kicking he could easily be one of the AFL's elite.

It seems the Crows are treating him as a project midfielder because they aren't giving him full game time, easing him in, whilst they work on a few areas (Neil said defensive pressure before the season began) and I saw him lay a few nice tackles throughout the season.

If he can continue to work on his defensive pressure and practice his kicking and polish his skills, he could be the real improver next year.

Thoughts?

 

[glengowan]

I think he dropped to as low as he did in the draft because of concerns over his injuries. That is what plagued him in 2006 and before he was drafted and he needs to get his body right before we see the best of him. IF he ever gets a good run with injuries I think he'll be a great AFL footballer and will be a first 18 player next season - possibly running the midfield from a forward flank or wing.

 

[Mad Dog]

I heard Neil's interview and as you say it was pleasing to hear him specifically mention Chris Knights. As he said he is looking to those "3rd year" players to step up next year.

Knights is a ball magnet no question - my only concern is that he has looked over-awed when he's come on to the ground and consequently been caught with the ball or forced to dispose in a hurry often creating a turn over.

Fortunately - this is just a confidence issue - and I reckon once he realises that he does belong at AFL level - he is going to dominate probably to a Goodwin level in terms of weight of possessions.....

 

[earlsta]

Yep, I rate the kid a real GUN, a great player with bigger things in mind.
Always seems to get a lot of the ball, want to see more of him next year, hopefully he starts playing full games.

 

[Eggzoi]

I think he cleaned up his disposal a lot as he got more game time. Just before he was injured he played a very good match with 17 touches. Was just starting to look like he belonged.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I heard Neil's interview and as you say it was pleasing to hear him specifically mention Chris Knights. As he said he is looking to those "3rd year" players to step up next year.

Knights is a ball magnet no question - my only concern is that he has looked over-awed when he's come on to the ground and consequently been caught with the ball or forced to dispose in a hurry often creating a turn over.

Fortunately - this is just a confidence issue - and I reckon once he realises that he does belong at AFL level - he is going to dominate probably to a Goodwin level in terms of weight of possessions.....

That is a fair call and the talk of his deficiencies in kicking and defensive side are also valid.

He will get more self belief the more he play. The more he plays the more comfortable he will feel on the field. I would expect him to settle in pretty well from that perspective.

His defensive side is also something that will improve with time and just giving him a run with role on one of the oppositions better midfielders would do wonders there IMHO.

His kicking is correctable but IMHO it will take time. It will not happen over one or 2 pre-season. He will improve it the more he plays. He can practice his kicking all he likes on the training track but until he gets more game time in the AFL, that will not improve.

Johnson from Collingwood was a pretty ordinary kick once upon a time but he is very good with his disposal these days. With Knights, I think it will take time but we should see some gradual imrpovement over the years.

As far as ball getting ability goes, I don't think there is anyone better on our list with the knack of getting the ball better than that of Chris Knights. He is a genuine ball magnet.

Getting a kick will never be his problem.

 

[The Twilight Zone]

A flawed kicking style would be my criticism of him. Reminds me of matthew bode.

 

[Postman Pat]

A flawed kicking style would be my criticism of him. Reminds me of matthew bode.

in ways you are right.

like mathew bode, he has a good ability to crumb and kick goals. usually managed a couple of goals a game when playing for WWT in the SANFL, but wasnt really given the time up forward at AFL level to show that.

probably not as good at tackling, but should be a better player.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Knights is a ball magnet no question - my only concern is that he has looked over-awed when he's come on to the ground and consequently been caught with the ball or forced to dispose in a hurry often creating a turn over.

I don't agree with that. Whilst he was caught with the ball a few times I think that is simply a by-product of winning contested possessions, when there is a bit of heat on. Reilly rarely gets caught with the ball or looks over-awed because he gets most of his touches out in space.

It's a bit like the criticism of Mattner. He is our only player who gets run down after three-bounce runs out of defence. Other than McLeod, he is also the only player who takes the opposition on in this way too.

Shane Warne has been hit for more sixes than any bowler in test history.

 

[Mad Dog]

I don't agree with that. Whilst he was caught with the ball a few times I think that is simply a by-product of winning contested possessions, when there is a bit of heat on. Reilly rarely gets caught with the ball or looks over-awed because he gets most of his touches out in space.

It's a bit like the criticism of Mattner. He is our only player who gets run down after three-bounce runs out of defence. Other than McLeod, he is also the only player who takes the opposition on in this way too.

Shane Warne has been hit for more sixes than any bowler in test history.

Well I disagree - but there you go.....

he trys to find the perfect option...

assesses - reassesses.....works out that everyone is watching....reassesses again.....then gets caught.

he will be a good player....just needs to be more instinctive....

 

[WaynesWorld19]

he will be a good player....just needs to be more instinctive....

Yeah that's a very good assessment of where he is currently.

 

[jumpman5]

Well I disagree - but there you go.....

he trys to find the perfect option...

assesses - reassesses.....works out that everyone is watching....reassesses again.....then gets caught.

he will be a good player....just needs to be more instinctive....

couldn't agree more with what you have said there, he's got all the tools to be a GUN midefielder at AFL level, all he needs is a bit of confidence which will come through quality game time.

he has also looked good this year when going forward with WWT when back in the SANFL, on the lead and with his strong marking ability above his head.

simon goodwin mould thats for sure

2007 will be the year knighta announces himself, he'll smash it

 

[Dandy_GO]

A flawed kicking style would be my criticism of him. Reminds me of matthew bode.

Can kick it a ****load further than Bodey though. Scored a nice "supergoal" in one of our NAB cup games this year.

 

[macca23]

Well I disagree - but there you go.....

he trys to find the perfect option...

assesses - reassesses.....works out that everyone is watching....reassesses again.....then gets caught.

he will be a good player....just needs to be more instinctive....

I agree with that MD

He doesn't do that at SANFL level where he just plays natural instinctive footy.

IMO his problems at AFL level have arisen from trying to adjust to things that Craig wants him to do and he is not playing naturally, with the hesitation arising through second guessing what he's been told to do.

I think that Craig will let him off the leash in 2007 and IMO the areas he has to tidy up will happen with more gametime under his belt.

Ball magnet. A dead set ball magnet.

 

[AJ_No.4]

he trys to find the perfect option...

assesses - reassesses.....works out that everyone is watching....reassesses again.....then gets caught.

he will be a good player....just needs to be more instinctive....

exactly what i was thinking......

 

[bus24]

Does remind of a younger Simon Goodwin in the way he runs.

 

[jc67]

Gunna be an outstanding player
But I doubt that next year will be his breakthrough season.
Most players of a similar calibre follow up on a year like he has just had with a couple of seasons of frustrating inconsistency.
Lots of our players took 3+ years to become solid and consistent, If Knights has a 07 similar to Thompson's 06 I will be more than happy with that.

That said, I think he will develop into a regular AA, and a star of the league. from 2009 - 2015.

 

[earlsta]

Yep, there's something about this kid that just tells me he will be an AFL Star.
Just keeps getting the ball!
He's from Melbourne, so hopefully he's having a ball up there in Adelaide and doesn't wanna come down here anytime soon.

I spoke to him after Adelaide played Collingwood in the 1st match of the year, the kids a great bloke, very level headed easy going guy.
Best of luck to him, my Adelaide jumper is vacant with no number, I'm going to get his put on, future STAR.

In a way, our team is lucky with injuries for next year, most of our squad is okay apart from Hentch and Biglands.
Hope Knighta can get his op done or whatever he needs to be fit for 07.

 

[Drummond]

His kicking is correctable but IMHO it will take time. It will not happen over one or 2 pre-season. He will improve it the more he plays. He can practice his kicking all he likes on the training track but until he gets more game time in the AFL, that will not improve.

Johnson from Collingwood was a pretty ordinary kick once upon a time but he is very good with his disposal these days. With Knights, I think it will take time but we should see some gradual imrpovement over the years.

Very good point this Stiffy. There is nothing like actual game time in the AFL, no amount of practice will help him correct his disposal to the point where it needs to be. He just needs to get out there and get used to the speed of the game; how many times did we see him rush his disposal instead of weighing up the options? Just a little overawed but I have no doubts that with more opportunities we’ll see an improvement.

And you’re spot on, Ben Johnson was constantly criticised for having very poor foot skills, yet as you said he’s got a fairly accurate kick now. Just needs time…

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Well I disagree - but there you go.....

he trys to find the perfect option...

assesses - reassesses.....works out that everyone is watching....reassesses again.....then gets caught.

he will be a good player....just needs to be more instinctive....

Fair enough but I still disagree Thompson seems to cop similar criticisms with question marks over his disposal and decision-making.

Remember, by numbers Ben Rutten is our most efficient kick. Is that because his skills and decision-making are the best of anyone at the club? Or does he play a very low-risk/low-reward game and understand his limitations?

You can't have all your players 'playing careful.' You need some players that have a crack in tough situations and are prepared to make an error. Don't be scared to lose? I know Knights has had his injury problems but I think his performances have been undervalued by the club (supporters and coaching staff). Watching the B&F on Friday night I was pleased to see how many times he featured in our highlights early in the season.

There aren't many 19 year olds who have found as much of the footy at AFL level. I wish he had played more often over the last two seasons as we have seen with VB how quickly talented players can find their feet if given the opportunity to play week-in-week-out at AFL level.

 

[earlsta]

Whenever Knights plays in the SANFL, he absolutely smashes it and gathers 25 + possessions almost every time when he's fit.

He is AFL ready no doubt, I just hope our team plays him every single match of the year 07, due to form.
IMO he would of played every single match this year, if he was fit, remember he played in R1 06 against Collingwood.

He's been on our list for two years now...played around 13 games in those two years.

An interesting stat, this year he has played 10 games, with his lowest possessions being 9, and this happened twice.
Although he spends plays 40 - 60 % of match time on the ground, so this is a pretty decent look at how much touches this kid actually gets.

Against St kilda he had 10 kicks, 7 Handballs, 9 Marks, 2 Tackles, barely played 50% of the match.

He will be a numbers boy, with 30+ disposals per game as soon as he comes in to our side. I rate him alongside Douglas and Pfeiffer, atm he is rated better. Please god Craig David, unleash him next year like you said, let him play every game, no one will be dissapointed.

Okay his disposal sucks some times, but look at his age, and look at S. Thompson?!?!
If you get enough of the ball...sometimes your disposal rate can be forgiven,..e.g S. Thompson. Scotty busts his gutt out 110% of the match for the team along with Mattner, if they turn the ball over, so what get over it move along you know they will give it extra at any contest, AFL isn't a perfect game where players do perfect things.

I just wanna see C. Knights play ~~~!!!! C'mon Craigy, drop someone for the youngsters!!