RICHMOND recruit Chris Knights knew he was still an AFL-standard player as he dominated in the SANFL last season, unable to break into a strong Adelaide team.

A star for Woodville-West Torrens, the classy half-forward could manage only five games with the Crows last year, starting three of those as the substitute.

After 96 games in eight seasons, the time was right for Knights to seek a new football home, and the free agent moved to Richmond, where he is having a strong early impact.

In his 100th game last Saturday night against Geelong at the MCG, the 26-year-old was even welcomed on the banner by the club's supporters as Richmond's 'Knights in shining armour'.

"I'm not saying I'm that, but the supporters' group was fantastic and it was good to feel welcomed … I sent through a few thankyou messages," he told AFL.com.au.

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

"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."

Knights was superb in his milestone game, playing across half-forward where his penetrating left-foot kick is always a threat and finishing with 24 possessions, nine marks a goal.

Tigers supporters will now be hoping he can rediscover the form of 2009 when he was one of the AFL's most damaging half-forwards, kicking 43 goals and averaging 18 disposals in 20 games.  

The early signs are good, and Knights said he had embraced his role rotating between half-forward and the midfield.

"It's always good in team environments to feel that you're contributing and to earn a bit of respect through performance," he said. 

"It's been good to get into the senior team and contribute a bit, so hopefully I can build on my form and play consistent team footy.

"There's a large group of midfielders at Richmond who go forward and go back, and I'm just one of those midfielders who plays through the forward line."

If 2009 was the high point of Knights' career so far, 2010 was no doubt the low point, with a serious foot injury and subsequent surgery restricting him to five games.

Knights emerged from his injury and form struggles with renewed perspective on the game, and he is using his experience to mentor young players at his new club.

"I find it really rewarding, and it reminds me of when I started playing for the Crows and having those experienced players help me out," he said.

"Now my role has changed and I'm a more senior player, I can impart my knowledge on some young players in Matthew Arnot and Matt Dea.

"It's been really rewarding for me."