Knobel prize for strong season

GIPPSLAND Power ruck Max Knobel has not shied away from a challenge this year, with the bigman able to not only take over the number one ruck mantle of the minor premiers, but also the Vic Country lineup. He entered the year sitting behind fellow Power ruck Harvey Howe, who had the representative experience over him, but the pair worked in tandem, and soon the Country side began to click.

“We started really well, winning our first 10 games and our belief just grew and grew and we were a really strong team,” Knobel said. All of us were good mates and we just grew together. It was just a good season, and unfortunately ended the way it did but I was definitely happy with how it all went throughout.”

Though Knobel might describe it as “unfortunate”, the Power did reach a preliminary final, before being bundled out by eventual premiers, Sandringham Dragons. Looking up to talented teammates such as Power captain Bailey Humphrey, Knobel earned Vic Country honours, where he would go on and play all four matches, averaging seven disposals and 14 hitouts, while taking around two marks per match. Knobel said he was not expecting to earn selection into the side, having fallen ill during the trial match against Vic Metro.

“(I had) no inkling (I’d be picked), we obviously had the Vic Metro vs Vic Country trial game so that was good,” he said. “Unfortunately I got sick halfway through the game, but I guess just to get the honour to represent Vic Country was amazing and to play the championships was great.

“I think the step up was just the quicker pace and everyone’s got elite skillset when you go play championship footy. It was just coming up against the best rucks from other states, it was definitely a big challenge but one I loved doing.”

Knobel described his biggest challenge at the championships as All-Australian ruck Harry Barnett, while at NAB League level, coming up against Sydney Swans Academy duo Billy King and Caleb May was his toughest assignment.

After the NAB League season came to a close, Knobel had one last chance to impress recruiters, and impress he did, stepping up for Vic Country in what was ultimately a narrow defeat at the hands of Vic Metro. Though not able to come away with the national carnival title, Knobel said he was pleased with how his final game for the year ended.

“I think that last game just ended off my season perfectly for me because I thought I performed quite well,” he said. “I progressed over the year and happy with where I ended it with the last game.”

Knobel comes from football pedigree, with his father Trent having played 75 games across eight seasons in the AFL. Drafted by Brisbane in 2000, Knobel represented the Lions on 13 occasions, before ultimately being pushed out by the plethora of experienced rucks who went on to play in the three-peat.

He landed at St Kilda where he would add 41 more games to his CV across three seasons, before being picked up by Richmond over the 2004 off-season. There, Knobel played another 21 games, before retiring at the end of the 2007 season due to ongoing injury concerns, aged 27.

The younger Knobel said his father had provided him with plenty of advice regarding his football, both on and off the field. His ruck craft – which the Gippsland Power tall describes as a strength – is an area he credits his improvement to his dad, as well as his overall technique.

A Richmond fan, Knobel said he would love to don the yellow and black, but conceded interest had been higher at other clubs, so was expecting to pull on other colours if given an opportunity at the top level.

“I’d love to go there, but whoever comes I’ll take,” Knobel said. “I’d like to move away (interstate), but love to stay in Melbourne, but also love the challenge of moving away. I’d be happy with either.”

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments