Knight was drafted in 2013. He burst onto the AFL scene in 2015, and instantly became a darling of the Adelaide BF board after a good showing in the final against the Bulldogs that year.
2016 was a year for him to forget. He managed just one AFL game, and it was a stinker. He spent most of the season watching from the sidelines due to injury, returning too late to force his way back into the senior team.
2017 hasn't been a great one for him either. He's played just 7 of 13 games, as the selectors yo-yo him in and out of the team. Given that he's only averaging 15.3 disposals per game, it's hard to blame them. He's back in the team this week, but only because of injuries/illness to Cameron & Lynch.
Right now, Knight appears to be existing in the twilight zone, on the fringe of the team. While BF views him fondly, largely as a result of one game he played two years ago, the coaches are far less sentimental. He's clearly not in our best 22, and is now a depth player who plays only when better players are injured. As a 4th year midfielder, 15.3 disposals per game is not a compelling case for ongoing selection.
Knight is out of contract at the end of this year.
Adelaide have a long history of hanging onto fringe players until long after their use by dates have expired. I will never understand how Brodie Martin stayed on our list as long as he did. In recent years they've become more aggressive in turning over these fringe players - think Lyons, Grigg, Kerridge and (to a lesser extent) Wright. I think it's unlikely, but I wouldn't be shocked if the AFC decided to trade him while he still has some currency.
What does the future hold for Knight? Can he push beyond his current fringe/depth status, to establish himself in our best 22? Will the AFC show some ruthlessness, trading him to another club? Is he capable of more than he's shown to date?
2016 was a year for him to forget. He managed just one AFL game, and it was a stinker. He spent most of the season watching from the sidelines due to injury, returning too late to force his way back into the senior team.
2017 hasn't been a great one for him either. He's played just 7 of 13 games, as the selectors yo-yo him in and out of the team. Given that he's only averaging 15.3 disposals per game, it's hard to blame them. He's back in the team this week, but only because of injuries/illness to Cameron & Lynch.
Right now, Knight appears to be existing in the twilight zone, on the fringe of the team. While BF views him fondly, largely as a result of one game he played two years ago, the coaches are far less sentimental. He's clearly not in our best 22, and is now a depth player who plays only when better players are injured. As a 4th year midfielder, 15.3 disposals per game is not a compelling case for ongoing selection.
Knight is out of contract at the end of this year.
Adelaide have a long history of hanging onto fringe players until long after their use by dates have expired. I will never understand how Brodie Martin stayed on our list as long as he did. In recent years they've become more aggressive in turning over these fringe players - think Lyons, Grigg, Kerridge and (to a lesser extent) Wright. I think it's unlikely, but I wouldn't be shocked if the AFC decided to trade him while he still has some currency.
What does the future hold for Knight? Can he push beyond his current fringe/depth status, to establish himself in our best 22? Will the AFC show some ruthlessness, trading him to another club? Is he capable of more than he's shown to date?
