FOLLOWING three tumultuous years as the helm of Essendon, Matthew Knights well and truly rebuilt his coaching reputation while in charge of Geelong's VFL team.
The 44-year-old led the Cats' VFL side for three seasons, guiding it to a premiership in 2012 and a losing Grand Final the following season.
During that time he played a key role in developing a number of players who are now regulars in the AFL.
In recent months, however, Knights has embarked on a new challenge after being appointed co-midfield coach with Geelong's AFL team.
It is a change that he is thoroughly enjoying.
"I'm really thankful that I had a wonderful few years with the VFL program and the academy, not only with the staff there like Paul Hood and Max Rooke, but also with the players," Knights told geelongcats.com.au.
"But it’s been excellent to move into the midfield role, working closely with Nigel Lappin. That relationship's going really well.
"We've got a group that sees us working with experienced players like Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly, but at the other end we're working with Josh Caddy, Mitch Duncan and guys that are at a different time in their careers.
"It's a good challenge to endeavour to keep this group of midfielders excelling, but it's very exciting and certainly something that I'm enjoying."
Geelong's coaching staff underwent a number of other changes over the off-season.
Former Geelong Falcons TAC Cup coach Paul Hood, who had been working in a development role with the Cats for a number of seasons, took over as VFL coach.
Shane O'Bree filled Lappin's old role with the academy, while champion defender Matthew Scarlett joined the coaching panel in a part-time capacity.
Knights believes the changes have helped bring new energy to the club's entire football department.
"Paul Hood taking over the VFL program is a great appointment, and that freshens up that part of the coaching staff," Knights said.
"The changes in the assistant coaching ranks with the AFL program is good for the players and good for the coaches as well.
"I know [senior coach] Chris Scott and [football manager] Steven Hocking are always looking to freshen things up.
"They don't want to make change for the sake of it, but if they think change need to be made to freshen things up they will do it.
"We're lucky that all of the coaches at the club are open-minded to adaption and change.
"Whatever role we get handed, we take it on and have a crack at it."
