 The 1997/98 season saw the return of veterans Ivan Kelic and Alan Edward Davidson, as well as the loss of Josip Simunic to Hamburg SV in Germany, and David Červinski and Lubo Lapsansky to the newly formed Carlton SC.Despite another staggering string of player losses the Knights would still put up a brave fight, going onto narrowly miss the finals that season, losing their crucial final round match against Marconi.The following two seasons were disastrous for a club so used to success, with the club finishing 12th in both seasons.