to finish three votes behind Essendon's Graham Moss. He shrugged off that disappointment to be one of Hawthorn's best players in the 1976 VFL Grand Final triumph, later joining some of his teammates at Peter Crimmins' bedside. From 1977 onwards Knights was frequently rested up forward to reduce the risk of injuries, but still did enough great work at centre half-back to finish one vote behind Malcolm Blight in the 1978 Brownlow Medal count. He would shrug off the disappointment of finishing runner-up in the Brownlow by starring in the 1978 VFL Grand Final. After being knocked out while playing in defence, Knights was moved forward in the last quarter, where he took a series of fine marks and kicked two goals to help secure Hawthorn's fourth Premiership. During his stellar 1978 season Knights also claimed his second Simpson Medal with a dominant display for Victoria against WA in Perth. Later Playing Years The litany of injuries that Knights had suffered through his career began to catch up with him, and from 1979 to 1981, he played in only 26 out of a possible 66 games. Amid rumours of retirement, Knights rebounded to play impressive football in his final years. In 1983, he booted six goals in the Qualifying Final to guide Hawthorn to a thrilling four-point win against Fitzroy, and was again among the best players on the field as the Hawks crushed in the Grand Final. Knights reached the 250-game milestone the following season against , gathering 23 possessions and kicking two goals, but a knee injury restricted him to just three further games. In the lead-up to the 1985 VFL season, Knights endured more misfortune when he fell ill during a Reserves match against Essendon at VFL Park on 23 March. He left the ground at three-quarter time and was taken to Fairfield Hospital after the game, suffering from vomiting and shaking. While heat exhaustion had been ruled out, the illness was thought to be a mysterious virus and kept Knights in hospital for several days. Once back into the senior side, Knights showed traces of brilliant form – kicking nine goals against in Round 10. The Preliminary Final against would turn out to be his final VFL game. He had just four disposals, and was dropped for the Grand Final, a surprising decision for some people, given his reputation as a performer on the VFL's biggest