Lovin' life as a Tiger
10:07:03 AM Thu 1 June, 2006
Jennifer Witham
Exclusive to afl.com.au
Richmond ruckman Trent Knobel has more than one reason to smile as he works his way through his second season in the yellow and black.
Finally overcoming the leg fracture that had the big man sidelined for the first seven rounds, Knobel has slotted his way back into the side and has formed a dangerous rucking duo with former Docker Troy Simmonds.
In the past two weeks, Knobel has enjoyed a total of 31 hitouts and has been prolific in the Tigers' victories over Adelaide and Geelong. But his promising return to form isn't the only thing making the 26-year-old happy – he thinks he's finally found his niche in football at Punt Road.
"I'm really loving it (at Richmond), it's been fantastic and all the boys have been fantastic and the coach has been great," Knobel told richmondfc.com.au.
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"From the moment I first met Terry and what he told me about the place and where he wanted to take the place and meeting the blokes…it's just been fantastic.
"I've really enjoyed the move and really enjoying just being a part of it. I can't complain one little bit."
After trading in Brisbane Lions and St Kilda jumpers for the Tigers' strip, Knobel believes he has finally found a club intent on achieving the same goals as his.
"Richmond is definitely heading in the right direction and Terry had a plan of where he wants to take it and we have a lot of good young players," he said.
"I certainly think it's heading in the right direction and I don't see myself going to a fourth club and I don't wish to either."
Knobel believes the process of changing clubs hasn't been disruptive and has instead forced him to mature while enduring a steep learning curve concerning the differences between opposing clubs.
"I don't think it's affected the way I play but obviously I've changed clubs twice now and I've seen how other clubs work and I suppose it's all in the maturing process as well," he said.
"I've gotten older and I've seen how everything works…I don't think it's affected the way I play. I just go out there and play a physical game and compete and I think I've always tried to do that."
Since returning from injury this year, Knobel and Simmonds together have dominated proceedings in the ruck – and it's a combination the 202cm giant likes to be a part of.
"It is working well, obviously it's only been two games that I've played this year but 'Simmo' has been in great form," Knobel said.
"At the moment I'm just playing my role and trying to help 'Simmo' out a bit in his role, and it is working well and hopefully it continues to do so."
Fellow Richmond ruckman Greg Stafford hasn't been as lucky this year and has had suffered a season interrupted with injury and form problems.
But, Knobel believes the sporadic appearances of Stafford in the past nine weeks doesn't mean there isn't room for a third big man in the Tigers' side – and he predicts the trio will be playing together sooner rather than later.
"I think there is (room for Stafford). We showed last year that when the three of us did play together that we can all play together well," he said.
"Terry said from day one if form is warranted, there is no reason why the three of us can't play. I don't see it happening too far away either, I think Greg's been playing well at VFL level and if myself and Troy can keep our form up and a spot opens, then I think there are no problems at all."
http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=270341
