Born: March 30, 1952
Recruited from: Longwarry F C
Jumper number: 24
Played: 1969 – 1985
First Game: Round 9 1969
Last Game: Preliminary Final 1985
Total Games: 264
Total Goals: 201
Playing Achievements
Vice Captain (1981–1985)
Premierships (1976,1978,1983)
Night Premiership (1969)
Reserves Premiership (1985)
Best and Fairest (1975,1978)
2nd Best & Fairest (1974)
3rd Best & Fairest (1970,1976,1983)
Club Leading Goal Kicker (1972)
2nd Brownlow Medal (1976,1978)
State Representative Games: 9
Simpson Medal (1971,1978)
Assistant Coach (1986)
Other
Senior Coach (1994–1995)
Life Member (1976)
Team of the Century (2001)
Hall of Fame Inductee (2003)
AFL Hall of Fame (1996)
Coterie Manager (2001-now)
Peter Knights is widely regarded as one of the finest centre half-backs to have played the game.
His contribution to the game was first formally recognized 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-kicking and his courage.
Despite having an outstanding year in 1971, where he won the Simpson Medal for being best afield whilst playing for Victoria against Western Australia, injury robbed him of the ultimate prize as he missed the Hawks’ 1971 Premiership.
Injury continued to plague him throughout his career, when a seven-game stint on the sidelines due to a broken collarbone cost him the Brownlow Medal in 1976, finishing second to Essendon’s Graham Moss by three votes.
Although predominately starring as a centre halfback, Knights 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, where he was named best on ground for the Hawks as they lost to North Melbourne. Knights also won the club best and fairest that year.
Knights would achieve the ultimate success a year later, in 1976, when the Hawks claimed, what has since become known as the “Cup for Crimmo”, as they overcame North Melbourne. This was followed by more premiership success in 1978 and 1983.
Forever the epitome of the committed clubman, Knights’ last game was with the Hawthorn Reserves in the 1985 Grand Final, as he helped the Hawks claim victory over Carlton.
Knights returned to Hawthorn in 1994 to coach for two years. Despite having to lead the club through one of its most turbulent periods, with the possibility of a merger ever-present, Knights steadied the ship capably, managing 20 wins from his 45 games.
Knights has since returned to his beloved Hawthorn as the club’s Coterie Manager. He also currently coaches the Victorian Country League in the Australian Country Football Carnival, extending what has truly been an outstanding contribution to the game of football.
