Chris Knights Biography

Jimmy Bartel and former Michael Jamison have joined the AFL's Match Review Panel for the remainder of this season.

Chris Knights has stepped away from his position on the MRP due to work commitments, meaning the panel has effectively grown by one member due to the new appointments.

Scans have confirmed that retiring Richmond forward Chris Knights will need a knee reconstruction after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament at training.

It's the other knee to the one that dramatically collapsed on him in round seven, 2013, in just his fifth game as a Tiger.

From that day on, the former Crow has battled problems with the knee and soft tissue injuries, and has only been able to play one AFL game since.

Knights made his AFL return in round three this season against the Brisbane Lions but broke down with a hamstring injury that needed surgery and cost him 10 weeks.

He has been in and out of the VFL since, with a quad injury interrupting his ability to string games together.

Luckless Richmond forward Chris Knights is believed to have suffered a left knee injury at training, two weeks after announcing he'll retire at the end of this season.

Knights, 28, injured his knee on Thursday at Punt Road and had to be helped from the ground by trainers.

He has since left the club and been sent for scans.

Three injury-hit seasons have taken their toll on Richmond's Chris Knights, with the half-forward to retire at the end of this season.

An emotional Knights spoke of how grateful he was for the support and care he was given throughout his difficult time as a Tiger.

"It's been a tough three years here and no doubt you guys are aware with injuries I just haven't been able to have a good run at it," Knights said.

"I couldn't have got through it without the help of everyone in this room, especially the players and the support staff."

Chris Knights insists he'll play again despite his latest serious hamstring injury setback.

"I know that I haven't played my last game of football and I'm looking forward to coming back and just enjoying football at any level," Knights told radio station 3AW.

"I feel like I have an obligation to the team to help out the young players and train hard … I want to come back and play AFL football but I'm going to be gentle in how I manage it mentally."

Scans reveal damage to Chris Knights' hamstring tendon, which will require surgery that will sideline him for 10-12 weeks.

"We're really feel for Chris, as he showed on the weekend he could still make an impact at the highest level," Richmond's general manager of football Dan Richardson said.

"We have no doubt Chris will attack his rehab with the same determination he has shown over the last 24 months, and we will support him through that."

Chris Knights suffers a hamstring injury in his first game back for nearly two years.

"It's disappointing for the young fella," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

"He's made his way back in the side, he's had a tough journey. We feel for him.

"It's a sad state of affairs. Unfortunately we haven't got the Chris Knights we know we could have in our club at the moment.

"He's just had a wretched run with injury and no luck at all."

Chris Knights says he hopes to put two frustrating years of dealing with injuries behind him as he prepares for 2015.

"I'm starting to believe again," Knights said.

"This been one of the hardest training blocks I've done in my AFL career and to get through it unscathed and feeling good the whole time gives me great confidence.

"All I'm going to focus on is making sure I'm doing everything I can to get my body right and play the best I can, and whatever happens, it will take place."

Chris Knights has had a breakthrough in his lengthy return from a serious knee injury, with another round of surgery three weeks ago revealing a piece of floating bone that been stonewalling his recovery.

Knights, who has not played at senior level since round seven last season, has experienced multiple setbacks since tearing the patella tendon in his right knee more than 13 months ago.

"There were a couple of options on the table and [the doctor] said, 'If we go down this path it could be the end of your season'," Knights said.

"At the end of the day I couldn't just be waiting for my knee to get better and really training under duress.

"I said, 'Whatever I do from here on it has to be an aggressive decision', and it turned out after the surgery I was able to walk out of there and it felt really comfortable.

"I'm really glad I went down that path."

Chris Knights could join the main training group as soon as next week as he aims to be available for round one next season following a serious knee injury.

Knights, who tore his right patella tendon in May, is in the final stages of his rehab after undergoing surgery for the injury which ruined his first season at Punt Road.

The 27-year-old is in good condition after completing his own off-season program and is ready to step up his workload.

"The plan of attack is next week I'll start getting filtered through into the main group," he said.

"Hopefully that means Monday and I can then stay out there for longer and longer as each session goes on.

"Definitely the intention is (to be available for) round one."

Chris Knights is easing into pre-season training as he looks to make a successful return from a serious knee injury in 2014.

Knights, who tore his right patella tendon in May, joined the Tigers' full list at the ME Bank Centre on Wednesday, but his workload was carefully managed.

Chris Knights will miss the rest of the season after dislocating a kneecap and rupturing his patella tendon against Port Adelaide.

Knights' injury will pave the way for former Bomber Sam Lonergan to be elevated to the senior list.

Chris Knights says he is excited at finally reaching 100 games as a Tiger after starting his career in Adelaide.

"To play 100 games was something when I got drafted that I never expected to achieve," Knights said.

"I was able to get involved in the system and play some footy and then I got struck down with injury and form, and it seemed like something I may not achieve.

"It was a really special time for me and I was really happy to do it with the Richmond footy club."

New Tiger Chris Knights says he feels fresh and ready for pre-season after avoiding post-season surgery.

"I've had some unfortunate things; a foot in 2010, some hips things and a few other little bits and pieces in the last three years so it has been a bit frustrating," Knights said about having to deal with injuries in the past.

"I was saying to some of the boys this is going to be the first pre-season I haven't had surgery for awhile so it's been good."

Richmond has signed Adelaide midfielder and unrestricted free agent Chris Knights.

"We're delighted to have gained Chris' services, as we believe he'll be a valuable acquisition for our group," Richmond football manager Craig Cameron said in a statement.

"Chris has the all-round talent, versatility, and experience to really help us, and we feel that he'll thrive with the opportunities at Tigerland."

Knights says he is excited at the opportunity to reignite his career with the Tigers.

"The last week has been quite nerve racking, but to finally get pen to paper and join this fantastic club is an honour," Knights said.

"I spent eight years with the Adelaide Football Club, which has been fantastic to me. Your career is a short one, and you just have to make the most of it, and Richmond gave me that opportunity, so I'm just delighted to be here."

Chris Knights has walked out of Adelaide to explore his options as a free agent after struggling with opportunities at the Crows in 2012.

"It has been a difficult year for Chris as he has struggled to get a regular game with our team," Crows football manager Phil Harper said.

"However, his effort to remain positive, upbeat and ready to take his next opportunity has been a credit to his character.

"The club wishes Chris all the best in his future ... he will always be welcome as a past Adelaide Football Club player."

Adelaide forward Chris Knights says the hit he received from St Kilda's Zac Dawson was not in the spirit of the game.

Dawson was suspended for one match following a punch to Knights' guts that left the Crow forward kneeling on the ground in pain.

"It was just unexpected really. It's not really in the spirit of the game, but you just play on. You can't really get emotionally attached to it too much or seek revenge because then you stop focusing on what you have to do," Knights said.

Midfielder Chris Knights has ended speculation of a return to Victoria by signing a new deal with Adelaide.

"I'm pleased it has all been sorted out," Knights said.

"I was keen to continue to be a part of the Adelaide Football Club. I can see success on the horizon, I love the environment and I've made close friends in the club."

Adelaide football operations manager Phil Harper said he was pleased with Knights' decision to stay.

"The club is extremely pleased to have Chris re-commit despite substantial offers to return home to Melbourne. He is a key player for our team and plays the very difficult half-forward role as well as anyone in the competition," Harper said.

"He is injury-free now and we are confident of a big year from Chris in 2011."

Adelaide forward Chris Knights delays signing with the club raising speculation of a trade back to Melbourne.

"The Chris Knights one has always been a worry, but I spoke to his manager and he wants to start talking," Crows football amanger Phil Harper told Adelaide radio station 5AA.

"That's always a good sign, but as I said it's only starting to talk."

Adelaide forward Chris Knights will miss another six weeks after having surgery in Melbourne as part of his treatment for plantar fasciitis.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says he is unsure when forward Chris Knights will be ready to play as he tries to recover from a foot injury.

"Chris has got some foot problems and we're doing our absolute best to try and get him back on the track. It's slow at the moment and it's causing frustration for him," Craig said.

"We've just got to keep the treatment that we're using at the moment and try and get him back as soon as we can. It's slower than what we like and I can't give you a timeframe."

Adelaide's bad run of pre-season injuries has continued with a foot injury to talented forward Chris Knights.

Knights had been sporting a moon boot due to plantar fasciitis and now has a confirmed stress fracture in his foot.

"Late last week Chris was aware of pain and swelling further down the foot towards the toes. An investigation (MRI scan) on the weekend revealed a stress fracture," club doctor Andrew Potter said on the Crows' website.

"Chris will continue to have treatment for both plantar fasciitis and the stress fracture."

Adelaide's Chris Knights says he's now paying the price for a month of football that saw his very successful switch from the midfield to the forward line.

Knights, 22, was recast in his return from a fractured eye socket in round seven and made an immediate impact with three goals from 24 possessions in the loss to the Western Bulldogs.

He continued his hot streak in four matches that followed, booting 16 goals including bags of five against Essendon and Carlton.

But opposition teams have since wised up to Knights' tricks.

With the tight checking of opposition taggers, the left-footer has managed just 3.5 over the past three weeks.

"As a midfielder I was not [followed] this closely or consistently," he said. "Nowadays I find that I don't get much room to move and I don't get any time during the game where I'm by myself.

"I feel at times like that frustration is bubbling up inside me, but it's part of my preparation going into games"trying not to get frustrated"and to continue to work hard and contribute to the team.

"I can still block, shepherd and tackle. They can't take that away from my game."

Adelaide's Chris Knights will miss the next month of football after fracturing his eye socket on Friday night.