It’s D-day for Riley Knight and the Adelaide Crows as talks start to decide his future
Riley Knight’s AFL future is likely to be clearer later this week after the out-of-contract midfielder/forward set to meet with the Adelaide Crows.
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Riley Knight’s Crows future is set to be decided this week.
The out-of-contract midfielder/forward and his manager, former Crow Michael Doughty, will meet with the Adelaide hierarchy to discuss whether he has a future at West Lakes.
Talented but injury prone, 24-year-old Knight had discussions with Sydney coach John Longmire during the trade period to discuss the possibility of moving north.
But nothing eventuated as the Swans’ ambitious pursuit of All-Australian Essendon key forward Joe Daniher — in what would have been a blockbuster deal — fell over.
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This left small forward Tom Papley, who wanted to join Carlton, at Sydney and Knight in limbo.
The Swans still signed one small forward, Brisbane’s Lewis Taylor, who won the 2014 Rising Star.
Doughty has refused to be drawn into detail about Knight’s future, simply saying he remains out of contract.
But the Crows have confirmed they will this week sit down with Riley and Doughty to discuss his future.
Like Port Adelaide’s out of contract Sam Gray, Knight’s options include re-signing, nominating for the pre-season draft or being delisted and then selected as a delisted free agent.
In a sign that he wants to stay at the club, Knight, who was a member of Adelaide’s 2017 grand final team and has played 54 games including five finals since debuting in 2015, was a notable attendee at new coach Matthew Nicks’ introductory press conference last week.
During trade week, Crows list manager Justin Reid said: “We are aware of his conversations with Sydney but he hasn’t requested a trade and is still keen to be at the Adelaide Football Club.
“We have agreed that we will park any conversations until the end of the trade period.’’
Knight, who played 15 games and kicked nine goals this year, offers plenty of versatility.
Apart from being able to play as an attacking midfielder and small forward goalkicker, he has executed some strong stopping jobs, including shutting down Geelong captain Joel Selwood in a final.
But he has averaged only 11 games a season after being drafted at pick 46 from SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens in 2013.
The Crows, undergoing a massive transitioning phase to reinvigorate an old playing list, have already made a whopping nine list changes since the end of the season.
Alex Keath (Western Bulldogs), Eddie Betts (Carlton), Hugh Greenwood (Gold Coast), Sam Jacobs (GWS), Josh Jenkins (Geelong) and Cam Ellis-Yolmen (Brisbane) found new clubs while Andy Otten retired and Richard Douglas and Paul Hunter were pushed out.
Adelaide, importantly, hung on to club champion Brad Crouch after the Suns made a big move for him.
He is contracted for one more season.
The only incoming player was Port Adelaide key forward/ruckman Billy Frampton, who could be a handy addition.
The Crows are armed with some nice draft picks — 4, 23, 28, 37, 45 and 49.