Born March 30, 1952,
Recruited Longwarry F C
Guernsey 24
Debut Order 596
Played 1969 – 1985
First Game Round 9 1969
Last Game Preliminary Final 1985
Games 264
Goals 201
Vice Captain 1981 – 1985
Premierships 1976, 1978, 1983
Night Premiership 1969
Reserves Premiership 1985 (the last official game for HFC)
Best & Fairest 1975, 1978
2^nd Best & Fairest 1974
3^rd Best & Fairest 1970, 1976, 1983
Leading Goal Kicker 1972
2^nd Brownlow Medal 1976, 1978
State Representative 9
Simpson Medal 1971, 1978
Assistant Coach 1986
Coach 1994 – 1995
Life Member 1976

Team of the Century 2001
Hall of Fame Inductee 2003
Legend of the Club 2017

AFL Hall of Fame 1996
Coterie Manager October 21, 2001

Peter Knights’ is widely regarded as one of the finest centre half-backs to have played the game being recognized for his contribution when he was named among the inaugural inductees into the AFL Hall of Fame in 1996 and later the Hawthorn Team of the Century in 2001. 

Recruited from Longwarry in Gippsland, Knights made his debut in Round 9, 1969.  He became easily identifiable on the field with his trademark blonde hair, his ability to frequently take spectacular marks, his long clearing kicks into attack and his disciplined courage laced with flair. 

After an outstanding year in 1971, winning the Simpson Medal for Best on Ground in the WA v Victoria match played in Perth, injury robbed him of a Premiership.  Injury was to also cost him the Brownlow in 1976.  Predominately a star centre halfback he could also give life to the forward line when sent there, heading the club goal kicking in 1972.  

In 1975, Knights played in his first Grand Final.  Although he was named the Hawks Best Player in that game and winning the Club’s Best & Fairest Award his efforts went in vain with the team losing to North Melbourne.  The determined Hawks hit back hard in 1976 with Knights enjoying his first Premiership success, emotionally know as the “Cup for Crimmo”.  This was followed by more Premiership success in 1978 with a third in 1983. 

Forever the epitome of the committed clubman Knights last game was with the Reserves in 1985, the Grand Final.  The Hawks defeated Carlton with Knights finishing his career in a semblance of style, kicking yet another bag of goals. 

Appointed coach in 1994 for 2 years: in reflection a very difficult task with the club headed for its most turbulent times – the merge issues of 1996.  Knights has since returned to his beloved Hawks as Coterie Manager at the Hawthorn Football Club and coaches the Victorian Country League in the Australian Country Football Carnival continuing on with his outstanding contribution to the game of Football.