Former Essendon coach Matthew Knights will guide Geelong’s VFL team in 2012 after accepting the role with the Cats.

Knights has coached at AFL, VFL and SANFL level. He led Essendon for three seasons after stints with Bendigo and Port Adelaide Magpies. Knights led the Bombers to the finals in 2009 and was responsible for giving opportunities to many young players.

“Matthew has done an exceptional job in his coaching career in working and developing young players, and we are fortunate that he can bring that experience and expertise to Geelong,” Cats coach Chris Scott said.

“He has coached successfully at VFL level, both in terms of taking his club to the finals but more importantly in developing players to make the step up to AFL level. We are really happy to add Matthew to our coaching staff and I am sure that our players will benefit from his teaching ability and football acumen.”

Knights is looking forward to returning to football with the Cats after a year out of the game.

“As an outsider I have admired the way Geelong goes about its football and I am looking forward to working in that dynamic environment,” Knight said.

“I will do whatever I can to integrate into the Geelong way and play my role in helping the club continue the successful run it has been on. There are a lot of good young players that are keen to learn and make their mark and I will be working with them to prepare them to play the highest level.”

Before being appointed Essendon coach in late 2007, Knights guided the Bendigo Bombers, twice taking them to the VFL finals. He also coached Port Adelaide in the SANFL in 2004 after spending 2003 as an assistant coach with the club.

Knights enjoyed a brilliant playing career with Richmond. He was named in the Tigers team of the century, twice won the best & fairest, was named in the All Australian team in 1998 and finished runner up in the 1995 Brownlow medal.

Knights retired in 2002 after playing 279 games, 101 as club captain. He played in Richmond’s finals campaigns in 1995 and 2001.

Dale Amos, who has led the Cats VFL unit since 2009 will move up as an assistant coach with the AFL squad.