Sam Knight has joined Jets looking for “something fresh” and to “go to the next level”.
The 32-year-old signed after “really enjoying” two seasons at Sunshine Coast Wanderers in the FQPL and NPL.
That followed four years driving from the Coast for training and matches at Brisbane Strikers – a journey which ultimately took its toll.
“It was a bit hard,” Sam explained, “I came back to the Coast and joined Wanderers for something a bit more relaxing.
“But I think I needed that time away to realise how good the level is down here … if you want to go to the next level and push for top four.
“I really enjoyed my time at Wanderers. They have a great young team. I’ll miss the players and the club officials, but I felt I needed something fresh.”
Normally a wing back, Sam played in a ‘number 6’ midfield role for his first Jets game and joked: “I felt like a fish out of water for the first 10-15 minutes!
“But Royce (Brownlie) seemed to have faith in me and hopefully I'll learn from him.
“I’ve had a lot of encounters with Royce over the years. He was always a tough player … and is an even better coach.”
Sam came up through the juniors and played for Sunshine Coast Fire from 2009-12 in the Queensland State League (QSL) and its successor the NPL Qld from 2013.
He then had two years off while doing “fly in, fly out” work, before joining Strikers in 2015 and playing in the Grand Final defeat by Jets, at Wolter Park, that season.
“Over the years Moreton Bay have always been tough to beat. Home or away you knew it was going to be a tough night,” said Sam.
“I’d like us to finish in the top four this season. I feel that’s the next logical step to take the club back to the trophies.
“I was on the receiving end of a grand final loss in my first year at Strikers and Moreton Bay United have trophies in the cabinet. Hopefully we can add another to it.”