Trent Knobel

{{Short description|Australian rules footballer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}

{{Use Australian English|date=January 2016}}

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = Trent Knobel

| image =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|5|23|df=y}}

| birth_place = Gold Coast, Queensland

| death_date =

| death_place =

| originalteam = Broadbeach (AFLQ)

| debutdate = Round 14, 9 June 2000

| debutteam = Brisbane Lions

| debutopponent = Kangaroos

| debutstadium = Colonial Stadium

| height = 202 cm

| weight = 102 kg

| position =

| statsend = 2007

| years1 = 2000–2001

| club1 = Brisbane Lions

| games_goals1 = 13 {{0}}(0)

| years2 = 2002–2004

| club2 = St Kilda

| games_goals2 = 41 {{0}}(8)

| years3 = 2005–2007

| club3 = Richmond

| games_goals3 = 21 {{0}}(4)

| games_goalstotal = 75 (12)

| careerhighlights = * St Kilda Pre-season Cup winning side 2004{{cite web|url=http://images.slatterymedia.com/image/?image_id=114726|title=AFL 2004 Wizard Cup Grand Final - Geelong v St Kilda|work=Slattery Media Group|date=2004-03-13|accessdate=2009-11-07|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716083757/http://images.slatterymedia.com/image/?image_id=114726|archivedate=16 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}

}}

Trent Knobel (born 23 May 1980) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Brisbane Lions, the St Kilda Football Club, and the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League.

Knobel, a ruckman originally from the Gold Coast, was recruited to the AFL in his home state with the Brisbane Lions onto their rookie list. He made his debut in 2000 after a rookie elevation. After getting his chance in Round 14, Knobel held his spot for much of the season, and played in two finals matches.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

After a disappointing 2001 season, and with the Lions having an abundance of ruck stocks (Keating, Charman, McDonald, McLaren among others), they traded him to St Kilda.{{cite web |title=Lions trade history |url=https://www.lions.com.au/news/722275/lions-trade-history |website=www.lions.com.au |access-date=24 December 2020}}

After fairly limited seasons with the Saints in 2002 and 2003, his 2004 season was much improved, playing all 24 games and becoming the Saints' number one ruckman. Despite his crash and bash ruckwork and tally of 460 hitouts for the year, he was criticised for his lack of around the ground work, averaging just 6 disposals in 2004.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

This led to him being delisted by St Kilda, before being selected in the 2005 pre-season draft by the Richmond Football Club.{{cite news |title=Tigers select Knobel, Pies claim Caracella |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-12-14/tigers-select-knobel-pies-claim-caracella/602516 |access-date=24 December 2020 |work=www.abc.net.au |date=14 December 2004 |language=en-AU}} In 2005, he missed 3 games late in the year with a hamstring injury but performed better around the ground.{{cite web |url=http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=players&spg=playerprofile&personid=13490 |title=Official AFL Website of the Richmond Football Club |accessdate=2006-11-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060501082007/http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=players&spg=playerprofile&personid=13490 |archivedate=1 May 2006 |df=dmy-all }}

In 2006, Knobel played just 3 games and found it hard for selection due to the form of ruckman Troy Simmonds. Due to ongoing injury concerns Knobel was unable to play a senior game in 2007 and announced his retirement from AFL football on 28 August 2007.