The Canberra Raiders are saddened by the passing of Raider #39, Percy Knight.
Originally from Condobolin, NSW, Percy Knight played 24 matches for the Raiders from 1983 to 1984, after joining the club from Balmain, where he played 64 matches from 1978 to 1982.
He was also part of the famous Monaro side of 1977, which defeated the touring Great Britain Lions 33–12 in a match held at Seiffert Oval.
Canberra Raiders Patron and former Chairman John McIntyre said Knight was one of the first players the club targeted when it entered the competition in 1982.
“Percy was one of a number of players we listed in the official submission to the NSWRL as possible players we would target if we were to gain entry to the competition,” Mr McIntyre said. “We weren’t able to sign him initially, though, as he re-signed with Balmain, but eventually he joined the Raiders alongside a number of former Balmain players like Lloyd Martin, Gary Spears, Alan McMahon, and of course, David Grant.”
Mr McIntyre said Percy Knight was a player who always gave his best when playing for the Raiders and was one of the smartest players of his time.
“He was a great organiser for our team at the time, and not only was he a very intelligent man on the field, he was also very intelligent off it.”
The Canberra Raiders would like to pass on their condolences to the Knight family. As a mark of respect, the Raiders NRL team will wear black armbands in their round six match against the Eels in Darwin this weekend.
