Knight enjoying the life of Riley with Eagles

By ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens premiership midfielder Riley Knight has revealed he wasn’t a certainty to return to Oval Avenue upon his delisting from Adelaide at the end of 2020.

But as he approaches his 100th Hostplus SANFL League match on Saturday, the 30-year-old is certainly glad he resumed his career with the SANFL club which promoted him through the junior ranks.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 30-year-old said he strongly considered joining North Adelaide for the 2021 campaign, citing existing relationships with Roosters Alex Spina and Mitch Harvey as a significant lure.

However, a sit down meeting with dual Eagles premiership coach Jade Sheedy convinced Knight his future was at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Within 12 months of signing, the South Clare product experienced the ultimate when he was a member of the club’s premiership team, toppling Glenelg in the 2021 title-decider.

It was a special occasion for Knight, who had never played in a senior premiership and it is continuing to motivate him to chase another with refreshing mentor Sam ”Sauce” Jacobs before he decides to hang up the boots.

In an interesting twist, Knight will play his milestone match with Sheedy in the opposition coaches box as the highly-respected mentor takes charge of Norwood for the second occasion from 4.40pm.

Knight made his Hostplus SANFL League debut for Adelaide in its inaugural SANFL match, Round 1 of 2014, before playing a total of 44 games for the Crows.