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From the back page preview on the Addy site:
Cats don't need King
Michael Auciello
Steven King's career at Geelong appears all but over, with the Cats requesting the premiership ruckman retire following a decision to re-sign Mark Blake for two years.
The Geelong Advertiser understands the Cats had been willing to offer their former captain a one-year deal but, with salary cap restraints, offered a contract King was unhappy with.
A source said with no interest from other clubs at the table, it left Geelong with little option but to ask King, through manager Ricky Nixon, to retire.
"They were thinking about keeping him for another year, the source said. "After Blake signed, they think they don't need to offer him (King) anything."
He said King's only hope was to "hold his nerve" and wait for the pre-season draft.
Nixon is said to be extremely disappointed with the move.
Geelong football manager Neil Balme last night said the club was yet to discuss the retirement option with King.
"No, we haven't gone down those paths yet," he said.
"There's been significant interest (during trade week), we'll see how it pans out.
"There's already a squeeze on the salary cap, not that that's impacted much by Mark (Blake)."
... continued Page 46
Michael Auciello
Steven King's career at Geelong appears all but over, with the Cats requesting the premiership ruckman retire following a decision to re-sign Mark Blake for two years.
The Geelong Advertiser understands the Cats had been willing to offer their former captain a one-year deal but, with salary cap restraints, offered a contract King was unhappy with.
A source said with no interest from other clubs at the table, it left Geelong with little option but to ask King, through manager Ricky Nixon, to retire.
"They were thinking about keeping him for another year, the source said. "After Blake signed, they think they don't need to offer him (King) anything."
He said King's only hope was to "hold his nerve" and wait for the pre-season draft.
Nixon is said to be extremely disappointed with the move.
Geelong football manager Neil Balme last night said the club was yet to discuss the retirement option with King.
"No, we haven't gone down those paths yet," he said.
"There's been significant interest (during trade week), we'll see how it pans out.
"There's already a squeeze on the salary cap, not that that's impacted much by Mark (Blake)."
... continued Page 46
