Knobel to call it quits
17 August 2007 Herald Sun
Mark Stevens
THE AFL career of injury-stricken Richmond ruckman Trent Knobel appears over.
It is understood Knobel will return to the Gold Coast at the end of the season.
Knobel has not played a senior game this year after being hobbled by on-going ankle problems.
Although he is still attempting to return in the next fortnight, reports from the Gold Coast suggest he is planning for a future beyond AFL.
The Gold Coast Bulletin this week reported that Knobel had bought a home on the Gold Coast and was weighing up offers from local clubs.
Richmond officials last night declined to comment on the speculation.
Knobel, 27, was recruited by the Tigers with the No.1 pick in the 2005 pre-season draft.
But after playing 18 games in 2005, he managed only three in 2006 after being affected by ankle problems.
Adam Pattison has emerged as a genuine ruck option this year, but Knobel is a valuable backup ruckman.
The Tigers' big men have been cursed this year, with Troy Simmonds suffering an ankle injury and then a blood clot in his lung.
A handy tap ruckman, the 204cm Knobel also played 38 games at St Kilda and 13 with the Brisbane Lions.
Originally from the Gold Coast, he has reportedly spoken to all three local clubs in the AFL Queensland division one competition.
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