Adelaide Crows youngster Riley Knight making the right moves in the AFL

MENTORED by Patrick Dangerfield, indebted to Phil Walsh — Adelaide’s Riley Knight is a captivating mix — the big game ‘hunter’ with a heart of gold.

Determined ... Crow Riley Knight marks in front of Jason Johannisen. Picture: Sarah Reed

MENTORED by Patrick Dangerfield, indebted to Phil Walsh — Adelaide’s Riley Knight is a captivating mix — the big game ‘hunter’ with a heart of gold.

A man of faith sporting quintessential country appeal, Knight on-field becomes a different beast, who loves some “niggle”.

Knight, 22, epitomises the ticker former Crows coach Walsh valued on arrival at West Lakes in 2015 and the “presence” successor Don Pyke has demanded in a Adelaide’s resurgence over the past month.

“I enjoy it, it’s kind of what footy is about. You try and play on the edge and not cross that. It’s what I like to do,” he said, ahead of Friday night’s top two clash against Geelong.

Knight forged a reputation for firing in crunch contests from the outset. The half-forward excelled in an emotional Round 15, 2015 debut against West Coast in Perth, which doubled as fallen coach Walsh’s tribute match.

Crucial goals followed in Adelaide’s 2015 elimination final win against Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

“You like to play well in big games and I think the intensity and atmosphere takes my game to another level,” Knight told The Advertiser.

“I love the contest, hunting the opposition and that’s what big games and finals footy are about, so that suits the way you want to play.

“The ball just kind of finds me in those games. I get lucky here and there with a few touches.”

Stung by a Round 14, home loss to Hawthorn, Adelaide resolved to redefine is physical solidarity.

Knight’s ruthless Friday night, Round 16 shut down of Bulldogs North Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen underscored a penchant for prime time and head-on battle.

“We like to play our own brand of footy but, having said that, we have changed the way we play over the past couple weeks. There was that role on Johannisen. We are looking at other options if it calls for that,” said Knight.

An infinite thirst for football’s grand stage stems from the scourge of a knee injury that sidelined Knight from Woodville-West Torrens’ consecutive 2012-13 under-18 grand final triumphs.

“You never want to miss out on grand finals but I wouldn’t be where I am now without missing those opportunities,” said Knight.

An ankle injury restricted Knight to one game in Adelaide’s 2016 campaign, and he was told to pull back from fanatical track work last summer to avoid setbacks this season.

Knight is regarded as a September X-Factor but the message from coach Don Pyke is simple — stay on the park.

“It is about continuity. My best footy is good enough but it is about bringing it week in week out and understanding my body,” said Knight, now fit and firing with 10 AFL starts this season.

“The more exposure I get at AFL level the better, do my bit for the team and hopefully get more midfield time over the next few years.”

Adelaide must on Friday night face down Geelong and end a Cats winning streak stretching back to 2014 — Knight’s first year at the club and Dangerfield’s second last at West Lakes.

Knight respects former co-captain Dangerfield as a champion who nurtured young Crows midfielders, including himself, Brad and Matt Crouch.

“He was great the way he mentored not only myself but the other younger boys. The experience, knowledge, care he had and time he put in was phenomenal,” recalled Knight of Brownlow Medallist Dangerfield.

An emotional Riley Knight leaves the ground in Perth after his debut game, which honoured the late Phil Walsh. Picture: Colleen Petch.

No-one present will forget the tears shed as Knight acknowledged the Subiaco sky after kicking his maiden goal on debut, days after the passing of the figure who delivered his AFL break.

“Walshy was the man who really kickstarted my career so I am forever grateful for that,” he said.

“There are philosophies he taught I still carry with me into each game and a lot of fond memories.”

Knight, like teammate Hugh Greenwood, is a committed Christian whose “faith in afterlife” is ”important”. However, there’s no preaching from a humble Clare runner most at peace waterskiing with family.

He still has strong links to his hometown.

“I went to St Joseph’s School in Clare and have a really good relationship with the principal (Peter Shearer). If a child is struggling with anything whether bullying or wants help with reading and spelling they can email me and talk about anything they are doing,” said Knight.

“It’s a good way to work.”

If Knight was hosting a dinner party, his dream guests would include tennis legend Roger Federer, rapper Kanye West and Jesus.

It would make for a night as entertaining as his goal celebrations.

Knight’s Round 16 “chainsaw” against the Western Bulldogs attracted national attention and ribbing from teammates but he finds it hard to curb his natural “passion”.

“I have copped a bit for the chainsaw. I play with emotion and sometimes the celebrations reflect that,” said Knight.