i think he kicked 42 goals in 07 but i might be wrong... big strong body that was compared to mark reccuito when he first started. then again so did col sylvia!

M.Bate - 102 games - 98 goals

C.Knights - 96 games - 68 goals

Shuffling the deck chairs ?

That's what it looks like from the outside, why bother.

Game:Goal ratio, we may as well hold onto Bate!

Considering Neil Craig is on the MFC staff, I'd definitely trust the club's judgement on Knights.

If he's not chased by us, there's probably a good reason.

Chris Knights is a lot better than Matty Freakin Bate.... Good gawwwd.

Chris Knights is alot better than Matty Freakin Bate.... Good gawwwd.

Not by much I wouldn't of thought. If he was any good he'd be getting a game.

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that getting a game at a top 4 side is a little bit harder than getting a game at 16th placed Melbourne.... Bate wouldn't have played 2 games at Adelaide (might sneak 1 due to someone being injured) and to suggest otherwise is to drastically over rate the Melbourne playing list.

Bate is slow, bad when the ball is on the deck, lazy defensively, has one of the slowest turning speeds I have ever seen, is predictible, has size but doesn't use it and his strong hands have not been so strong over the past 2 years.

On the other hands, Knights has break away speed like Sylvia (not a fast guy but can break from a pack), he has a booming accurate kick and the ability to shrug tackles.

He isn't an All Australian and he won't be a best and fairest winner.... But he is better than Matty Bate is right now by a looooooong way.

I've posted this elsewhere but thought I'd put it here.

Chris Knights is one of very few AFL players I have reliable info on and mine tells me that Footy just isn't a real priority for the lad. He is heavily involved in a business he started and this remains his priority (good for him).

Had a big offer from the Tiges last time round which apparently surprised him. Only a slightly better offer kept him at the Crows.

I want footballers, die hards, traded for and drafted. Not players that don't have their heart in it.

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that getting a game at a top 4 side is a little bit harder than getting a game at 16th placed Melbourne.... Bate wouldn't have played 2 games at Adelaide (might sneak 1 due to someone being injured) and to suggest otherwise is to drastically over rate the Melbourne playing list.

Bate is slow, bad when the ball is on the deck, lazy defensively, has one of the slowest turning speeds I have ever seen, is predictible, has size but doesn't use it and his strong hands have not been so strong over the past 2 years.

On the other hands, Knights has break away speed like Sylvia (not a fast guy but can break from a pack), he has a booming accurate kick and the ability to shrug tackles.

He isn't an All Australian and he won't be a best and fairest winner.... But he is better than Matty Bate is right now by a looooooong way.

Fair enough, it is a little bit harder to get a game in the crows side at the moment, guess all I'm saying is that if someone said the name Chris Knights to me, straight away I think of Matty Bate type player.

Anyone know if he's tearing it up in the SANFL?

Apparently Chris Knights is battling fitness issues this year which is why he has only played 5 games.

In SANFL he's played only 8 games and kicked 11 goals. Don't know how many disposals or whether he is playing mid or up fwd not an Eagles fan so I don't pay attention to him.

In 2007 he had an average disposal of 23.4 in the midfield and kicked 5.12 from 22 games.

In 2008 he had an average disposal of 20.8 in the midfield and kicked 4.3 from 16 games.

In 2009 he was moved up forward and had an average disposal of 17.6 and kicked 43.25 from 20 games.

In 2010 he had an average disposal of 15 up fwd and kicked 2.2 from 5 games. He battled with Injuries that year.

In 2011 he had an average disposal of 18.2 up fwd and kicked 10.16 from 16 games. He had fitness problems this year.

He turns 26 next month and I think if he can get fit he'd be a great addition to our midfield and even fill in the forward line when we need him.

Would be a good addition, especially given it costs nothing

Would be a very good pick up. He actually look likes a footballer, strong but lean, not just a rake or a slow mass of muscle which is what Melbourne is full of.

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that getting a game at a top 4 side is a little bit harder than getting a game at 16th placed Melbourne.... Bate wouldn't have played 2 games at Adelaide (might sneak 1 due to someone being injured) and to suggest otherwise is to drastically over rate the Melbourne playing list.

Bate would be a regular in the Adelaide side. He is better than their bottom 4 players and has a lot to offer. In a side like Melbourne though his deficiencies mean he too often exposed. He would add value to an Adelaide.

World's best kept secret - Chris Knights has quit Adelaide.

Richmond are hot favourites to get him and if what some posters above have said is correct then Neil Craig would be well aware of his shortcomings and I doubt we would be chasing him too hard in those circumstances.

Bate would be a regular in the Adelaide side. He is better than their bottom 4 players and has a lot to offer. In a side like Melbourne though his deficiencies mean he too often exposed. He would add value to an Adelaide.

Interesting notion. Hadn't actually looked at things that way....

Unfortunately it seems he is destined for Richmond along with Chaplin ...

I'd love the Demons to take a punt on Knights, but he sounds like he's over the line at Richmond.

Have to say I'm a bit surprised by the Bate comparisons. Not in the same stratosphere.

This one could have an "classic" set of steak knives throw in, just depends on who goes north for dinner & who goes south for dinner. Suppose time will tell.

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that getting a game at a top 4 side is a little bit harder than getting a game at 16th placed Melbourne.... Bate wouldn't have played 2 games at Adelaide (might sneak 1 due to someone being injured) and to suggest otherwise is to drastically over rate the Melbourne playing list.

Bate is slow, bad when the ball is on the deck, lazy defensively, has one of the slowest turning speeds I have ever seen, is predictible, has size but doesn't use it and his strong hands have not been so strong over the past 2 years.

On the other hands, Knights has break away speed like Sylvia (not a fast guy but can break from a pack), he has a booming accurate kick and the ability to shrug tackles.

He isn't an All Australian and he won't be a best and fairest winner.... But he is better than Matty Bate is right now by a looooooong way.

I haven't seem Knights for a few years but I remember he had a knack of kicking goals from beyond the 50 metre line he looked pretty good at the time; what's happened since I'm not sure but if he could slot a few for us I'd be happy to take him.

It's funny. For months now, I haven't heard a word from WYL or the other hand-wringers about how free agency will be the death of the smaller clubs. I see it to be the opposite: Weaker clubs have more money to spend, so free agency actually helps them. If there were no salary cap, then there'd be a whole other story.

In an even competition where the weaker clubs are only lower down the ladder, then yes, those down the ladder with more cash may be an attractive destination for a player on the loose.

But while they're are clubs with they're Cultural Soul out of they're pants, these clubs may struggle to get the better players, out on the loose.

This one could have an "classic" set of steak knives throw in, just depends on who goes north for dinner & who goes south for dinner. Suppose time will tell.

I wouldn't mind switching 'steak knives'.

Unfortunately it seems he is destined for Richmond along with Chaplin ...

Good.

Knights is NQR and Chaplin is a Warnock clone.

Time to move on.

Look elsewhere.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/148927/default.aspx

Getting a sinking feeling already...

Not that fussed. In all honesty, most of the free agents on offer don't do all that much for me. Some of them would no doubt be an improvement to our list, but I don't think any of them are massive pick-ups who will change the face of the MFC.

Simply an unattractive proposition for free agents at the minute....................apart from a truck load of money potentially, the appeal isn't that great, and the lure of future success non existent for a player in the last 3-5 years of their careers.

http://www.richmondf...27/default.aspx

Getting a sinking feeling already...

Don't despair - spud of the highest order.

This free agency is the best thing that's happened to NQR since sliced bread.

96 games in 8 years??? No thanks!