In the final of a Bingle Recruitment Zone special series, featuring 20 highlights from Richmond’s trade/draft history during the off-season, we focus on a Tiger recruiting first.
Early in 2010, the AFL and AFL Players’ Association came to an agreement over rules for a free agency system, which was to be introduced into the league competition, in line with other key sporting codes around the world.
Free agency provided another means for players to transfer from one AFL club to another.
The rules that were struck enabled restricted and unrestricted free agents to consider offers from rival clubs during the annual post-season period.
Players, who were not in the top 25 per cent of salaries at their club, qualified for unrestricted free agency, provided they had served at least eight years with the club.
Those players, who were in the top 25 per cent of salaries at their club, were eligible for restricted free agency the first time they came out of contract, provided they had served at least eight years with the club.
Restricted free agents had the right to move to a club of their choice, subject to their current club’s right of first refusal over their service. If his current club could match the offer from a suitor club, the player had to either stay, or enter the draft.
The AFL’s free agency was officially launched at the end of the 2012 season, and the football world waited to see how it would pan out initially, and who would be the first player to transfer clubs under the new system.
Richmond, such a recruiting pacesetter in the days of renowned Club official, Graeme Richmond, again proved to be a pioneer with free agency.
The Tigers had made steady progress in 2012, to win 10 games (plus a draw), which was their best result in a season since 2008.
For several years, they had been meticulously planning for free agency, seeing it as a way to rapidly bolster their playing stocks and assist them in returning to finals action.
With a focus on adding some midfield depth and dash, Richmond set its sights on talented Adelaide left-footer Chris Knights.
The Crows had recruited Knights from TAC Cup team, Eastern Ranges, at pick 56 overall in the 2004 National Draft.
Knights had played 96 games in eight seasons with Adelaide, but had managed only five in season 2012 under the Crows’ first-year coach Brenton Sanderson.
He’d been plagued by injury problems during the previous few years, but had shown what he’s capable of when fit, kicking 43 goals in a superb, breakout 2009 season.
His capacity to provide run-and-carry through the midfield, as well as be influential across half-forward, and even offer some potential rebound out of defence, made him an attractive proposition for Richmond. And, he was a booming left-foot kick, which further enhanced his appeal . . .
The fact Knights’ good friend, and former Adelaide teammate, Ivan Maric, had settled in so well at Richmond, during his debut season with the Club in 2012, also was a factor in the then 26-year-old deciding to take up the Tigers’ offer.
On the first official day of the league’s inaugural free agency period, in early October, 2012, Richmond lodged the papers with the AFL that resulted in Chris Knights landing at Tigerland as an unrestricted free agent.
Adelaide did not have the chance to match Richmond's offer due to Knights' unrestricted status.
"We're delighted to have gained Chris' services, as we believe he'll be a valuable acquisition for our group," said Richmond’s General Manager of Football at the time, Craig Cameron.
"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 expressed his delight at being provided with the opportunity to continue his league career at Richmond.
“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 have been watching Richmond closely this year. A good friend of mine, Ivan, who I lived with for six years, came across, so I have been following the progress and form,” he said.
“I spoke to him about the Club and the direction they’re heading, and he couldn’t speak more highly about the culture.
“As a player, that’s what you value in a football club . . .
“They played some really good football (in 2012). A lot of players had great seasons, Ivan included. So, hopefully, I can be involved in that, be a part of it, and have some success next year.”
Knights made a promising start to his first year with Richmond in 2013, before tearing the patella tendon in his right knee, ending his season after just five games.
He endured further significant knee trouble throughout 2014, which restricted him to just a few appearances at VFL level for the Tigers.
Richmond remains extremely hopeful, however, that Knights can revive his league career, following his nightmare run with injuries, and be a valuable contributor in its quest to take the next step in 2015.
