Riley Knight latest Adelaide player exploring his options as Crows continue list rebuild
Once one of Adelaide’s brightest young talents, midfielder-forward Riley Knight, has had interest from at least two AFL clubs and looks set to be the latest to join the West Lakes exodus.
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Riley Knight is the latest Adelaide player exploring his options as the great Crows exodus continues to gain momentum.
The out-of-contract 24-year-old has met with Sydney coach John Longmire and has interest from Carlton and is not deemed a must-keep player at Adelaide.
Once one of the Crows’ most promising young players, midfielder-forward Knight has played just 54 games, including five finals, in five seasons after being drafted at pick 46 from SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens in 2013.
He played 15 matches this year, averaging a modest 15 disposals and kicking nine goals.
Knight, who has played some important tagging roles, has battled injuries during his career but it is understood his work ethic also has been questioned.
But the Swans, in particular, have keen interest in him as they face the possibility of losing Tom Papley to Carlton.
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“We are aware of his conversations with Sydney but it’s still early days with Riley,’’ Adelaide general manager of list management and strategy Justin Reid said.
“He hasn’t requested a trade and is still keen to be at the Adelaide Football Club, so we have agreed that we will park any conversations until the end of the trade period.’’
Adelaide — searching for a new coach following the shock resignation of Don Pyke with two years left on his contract — already has had five players quit or ask for a trade.
Free agents Cam Ellis-Yolmen (Brisbane) and Sam Jacobs (GWS) have signalled their departures while Alex Keath (Western Bulldogs), Hugh Greenwood (Gold Coast) and Josh Jenkins (to be determined) also have asked for moves.
Veteran small forward Eddie Betts is almost certain to join his former club the Blues while ace midfielder Brad Crouch has been linked with a big money move to the Suns.
Defender Andy Otten has retired while 2010 club champion Richard Douglas has been sent packing (he hopes to continue his career at another AFL club) and untried ruckman Paul Hunter has been delisted.
Star defenders Rory Laird and Brodie Smith, who had been linked to Geelong and Brisbane respectively, have quashed talk of them leaving and will be at West Lakes under a new coach next year.
After missing the finals in consecutive years following its losing grand final appearance in 2017, Adelaide is going through what it calls a “transitioning’’ period.
One player who wants to join its revolution is little-used Port Adelaide key forward Billy Frampton.
The talented, three-game big man has asked the Power for a trade and is likely to end up at the Crows, who say they have “strong interest’’ in him.
Originally published as Riley Knight latest Adelaide player exploring his options as Crows continue list rebuild
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