Strengths: Forster-Knight is a player who quietly goes about his business and his work on the field can often go unnoticed. He has a tireless work ethic and is a good team player. He is always on-hand to support his teammates whether chasing, tackling or shepherding.
Position: Forster-Knight has the versatility to play in defence or in the mid-field. In the past he has been used mainly across half-back. Any move in the middle would be dictated by improvement in his disposal. This is an area Forster-Knight has been working on over the past season and has greatly improved. With the number of tall options Essendon has in defence, a mid-field tagging role could be on the agenda for Forster-Knight in 2003.
2003: 2003 presents an ideal opportunity for Forster-Knight to cement his spot in the senior line-up. He has been a link player in the past and now it is time for him to become more creative and stamp his authority in the team. If the pre-season is anything to go by, Forster-Knight has bulked up in the upper body and supporters will see a greater physical presence from him. This is a crucial season for Forster-Knight and he needs to grab hold of the opportunities that present themselves and become a consistent contributor in the senior team.
Kevin Sheedy says: Unlike most draftees Rob was only 17 years when drafted but he has done well so far. He is a dedicated and controlled player who is making a solid contribution to the team. He has a great attitude to making AFL football and will develop an enormous amount of confidence as he gains experience. He’s very courageous and can take on tough jobs that require him to use his concentration skill. A similar player to Shane Heard in his early years.We expect that Rob could be a 100 game player for the club.
