The Vindicator Reaches 100: How Lachlan Knight Became a Modern Blacks Great

Thursday 11 June 2026

This weekend, Lachlan Knight will run out for his 100th senior game for University Blacks Football Club, a milestone that celebrates not only an outstanding football career but one of the great modern clubmen of the Blacks.

Knight's journey to the Uni Main Oval began long before his arrival in 2018. A product of the Yarraville Seddon Eagles, he built an impressive football résumé through the Western Jets, where he won the 2015 Best and Fairest, before progressing to Williamstown in the VFL. Thankfully for the Blacks, despite having every reason to stay in Melbourne's west and play alongside lifelong mates, he eventually wandered down to University Blacks wearing a bit of Williamstown gear and carrying a healthy amount of confidence.

For Louis Vescio, it all started with a familiar entrance.

I can remember Lachlan Knight sauntering into the Blacks in 2018 after not appearing during pre-season, wearing some Williamstown gear — a small flex. It was pretty easy to tell that he had a fair bit of class on the field.

As I got to know LK, it became obvious that football wasn't his only passion. Nowadays we bond over forgotten AFL players of the 2000s, which is without a doubt his true passion in life.

Born and bred in Yarraville, it would've been easy for him to play with his mates at CYs or the Eagles. Luckily for us, he waltzed down to the Main and went all in. He's one of those players who's genuinely lived by the Blacks mantra of 'you get out what you put in'. Whether it was organising the Ball, the famous Blacks Stakes Day, or simply becoming a staple at the Clyde, he put himself at the centre of club life.

On the field, he's been one of our most consistent performers. A smooth-moving midfielder with a lethal right foot. I was lucky enough to line up alongside him on the wing for a big chunk of our careers and we still claim to be the best wing duo the VAFA has ever seen.

Eventually he found his way into the midfield and in 2023 'The Vindicator' was born. As we fought to survive in A Grade, LK mixed it with the very best. He'll tell you he shut down plenty of star midfielders along the way, but what nobody can argue with is that he became one of the competition's best players and deservedly won the Cordner Medal.

The speech afterwards might still be going.

Even after a year travelling the world with Fran, he's come back looking exactly the same — still capable of putting the team on his back, pulling out that trademark sidestep and giving teammates that look when they need to lift. Hopefully there's plenty more of that to come.

Go well this weekend Knighterino, if we all channel some vindicator we will go a long way!

If Louis saw the evolution of the footballer, Tom Cousins has seen plenty of the stories that have helped create the legend.

There's not many blokes at the club who could rival me for self-proclaimed nicknames, but Knighta somehow got there.

One of my favourite memories was after a Round 1 game at Fitzroy. We'd gone back to the bowls club for a beer and he asked if I had any hand sanitiser. I couldn't work out why. He then explained he needed to scrub the words 'T.W. Sherrin' off his hands because he'd gathered that much of the footy that the branding had stained his palms.

That was the birth of one of the great club nicknames and a pretty good insight into how Knighta sees himself.

I'd hate to think how much money we've tipped into the Clyde over the years celebrating wins, commiserating losses and sharing stories. The Cordner year was something special though. I'm surprised he could still walk by the end of the season after the amount of VAFA stars he'd apparently put in his pocket.

Behind all the jokes though, he's a truly great clubman. He puts in countless hours trying to make the club better. Whether it's organising events, driving standards at training or helping create the culture that makes the club what it is, he always gives 100 per cent.

He knows when to have a laugh, when to take the piss out of himself and when it's time to get to work. Watching him grow into one of the club's leaders has been great to see. We can only thank god that his shoulders are made out of paper mache and that’s the reason he didn’t make it onto an AFL list and leave us all behind.

For his 100th, I'd expect a few trademark 25-metre chiselers, a couple of tackles shrugged off with that big caboose and maybe even some custom fluro Nikes with a 100-game logo on them. If we're really lucky, we might even get a LinkedIn post.

Good luck in the 100th, go well mate!

For Nick Hey, there was never any shortage of material when it came to Lachlan Knight.

Where to start with Lachlan Knight? It's hard to think of a Blacks person who generates as much noise as this bloke; both through his own mouth and on the lips of others.

He absolutely LOVES being involved and being in the thick of it. Whether it's organising a Blacks Ball, putting together Stakes Day, taking a job off the president or just telling you (in detail) his great mate Ronny Vescio's season averages, this man is a Blacks and footy nuffie.

On the field, he's an absolute gun. No other way to put it, although it pains me. Silky on both feet, tough in the contest, quick on the outside and with a knack of popping up for the odd goal, he's the modern-day midfielder.

Whilst he often frustrated me with his inability to hit a forward-50 target, his 2023 season was no doubt vindication of the man's ability and the highlight of his storied career to date.

One story from that year always comes to mind. After a shaky start to the season, we'd steadied and found ourselves up against Old Xavs at the school in a massive fixture before the Big V game. LK had just missed selection after being named in the squad, with Xavs skipper Marcus Stavrou getting the nod ahead of him.

During the week, to prove Big V Head Coach, Greg Hutchison, a point, LK told Bowser he wanted the Stavrou match-up. Goes without saying he got the chocolates that day in a famous Blacks win, taking down Stavrou in a strong battle.

What happened next was as interesting as it was predictable. LK had just come off the ground and was walking down the bench past Bowser, screaming, 'Where's my Big V jersey Hutchy?!'

Off the field, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who gives as much back to the Blacks as this man. He's usually first to put his hand up to organise a social event — and boy, doesn't he remind you about it — and last to leave the Clyde. Whilst he absolutely loves the sound of his own voice, no doubt the driving force behind putting his hand up for every Blackspot season opener for the last decade, it's the least we can give him considering everything he has done for this mighty club.

Truthfully, I've got so much to be grateful for from LK. Moving down to the Blacks just before COVID in 2020 was a pretty intimidating prospect and he was one of the first blokes I struck a chord with. Since then we've become great mates, spending many nights at the Clyde and many more hours on the infamous orange couch at Nicholson Street. Whilst that friendship has now stretched to golf trips — just ask Sunny how fun LK is on golf trips — and MMFs, my time in Melbourne wouldn't have been the same without him.

Congrats on 100 games mate. No doubt another famous win against Xavs is on the cards.

One hundred games is a significant football milestone. For Lachlan Knight, it's also recognition of everything else. The 2023 Cordner Medallist. The organiser. The storyteller. The mate. The bloke who always puts his hand up.

Most importantly, it's a celebration of someone who has thrown himself completely into University Blacks and helped make the club a better place along the way. May there be many more stories, many more Clyde sessions, and perhaps one day, that long-awaited Big V jumper.

- Louis Vescio, Tom Cousins & Nick Hey

Let's hear from the great man himself with the famous milestone Q & A!

How did you end up at the University Blacks in 2018?

I landed at the club in 2018 after enquiring about Uni Games with Justin “Damage” Grey at the famous Uni O Week stall in about 2014 or 2015. After a few years of persistence from Damage and others, I made the leap of faith with some encouragement from my Dad and it is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What were some of your early thoughts when you joined the club?

That it’s a very unique football club, which makes it special. Not often you play football alongside doctors, lawyers and investment bankers who are all great footballers and even better blokes.

You’ve had a number of nicknames through your time at the club, any personal favourites and why?

The self anointed Vindicator takes the cake.

Best Blackspot hosts you’ve seen?

The combination of Xav Chalkley, Jack Kennedy, Nick Caris and Jordy Delahunty have delivered some crackers over the years.

Favourite player to watch when growing up?

Brad Johnson or Chris Grant.

Who has had the most influence on your career?

My parents, James and Helen.

Thriftiest/biggest tightarse at the Club?

None come to mind. Everyone is always willing to shout a pint at the Clyde!

Favourite subject at high school?

History.