Percy
Knight

Percy Montgomery Knight — rugby league trailblazer, Canberra Raiders pioneer, proud Wiradjuri man, and champion of Indigenous communities — passed away on 6 April 2025, at the age of 70. His death was mourned across the rugby league world, and particularly in Canberra, the city he had made his home and to which he had given so much.

Born on 29 September 1954 in Condobolin, a small Wiradjuri Country town in central western New South Wales, Percy Knight grew up with a fierce pride in his people and an extraordinary natural talent for rugby league. As a teenager, he played for the South Grafton Rebels before making his way to Canberra in his late teens, where he played for the Woden Valley Statesmen and the Queanbeyan Kangaroos in the Group 8 competition.

In 1977, his talent caught national attention when he was selected to represent Monaro against the touring Great Britain Lions — and the Monaro side triumphed, 33–12, in a famous match held at Seiffert Oval in Canberra. That performance opened the door to Sydney, and in 1978, Percy signed with the Balmain Tigers, where he became a trailblazer: the first Aboriginal player selected at five-eighth for a Sydney club at the elite level. He made 64 appearances for Balmain, captaining the side on occasion, and earned lasting respect as one of the smartest and most deceptive halves of his generation.

In 1983, he returned home — joining the newly formed Canberra Raiders during their formative second year in the competition. Former Raiders chairman John McIntyre recalled: "He was a great organiser for our team at the time, and not only was he a very intelligent man on the field, he was also very intelligent off it." Percy played 24 matches for the Raiders before injuries — including a recurring bone fracture aggravated by the cold Canberra winters — led him to retire in 1984. In a memorable farewell, he threw his Raiders playing gear into the Queanbeyan River from the Queanbeyan Bridge.

Percy's contribution to rugby league extended far beyond his playing days. He became Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council, where he worked passionately to inspire Indigenous communities, promote social inclusion, and shape the game's direction. He also helped establish the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation in his home town, preserving and promoting Wiradjuri culture and community. He later worked as an academic at the University of Sydney's Business School.

ARL Commission Chairman Peter V'landys paid tribute: "Percy was something of a trailblazer for Indigenous players and people. An exceptionally smart footballer who put his talents to good use off the field. He was passionate about shaping direction, helping to inspire Indigenous communities and promoting social inclusion." The Canberra Raiders wore black armbands in his honour in their next match.