King can keep crown

[Ninty]

COACH Mark Thompson has thrown his support behind ruckman Steven King retaining the Geelong captaincy next season.

King's reign as Cats skipper has not been smooth, given his numerous battles with injury, but if he is fit and wants to continue in 2006, Thompson will not stand in his way.

"We normally go through the process on a yearly basis and make a recommendation, but a fit Steven King is the right person," Thompson said on 3AW last night.

"Whether we put too much pressure on him, we'll have to sit down and have a talk to him at the end of the season. If he says he doesn't want to do it, we won't let him do it. It's up to him. His luck's got to turn, soon."

Showing his desire and ability to lead, King came back from a broken finger ahead of schedule and led the Cats to a magnificent win against West Coast on Saturday.

That was the epitome of leadership for Thompson and showed why the coach has so much faith in King.

"He was terrific," Thompson said. "The whole club was under pressure and the big man stood up and we were really happy with his game on the weekend."

Thomson also gave kudos to key off-season recruit Brad Ottens, who will miss the rest of the year, sidelined with a groin injury.

While the former Tiger has been criticised at times this season, Thompson was pleased with what a fit Ottens could offer the Cats.

"I thought he was very, very important to our side," Thompson said. "After the Kangaroos (game) that's when his groin started to get sore and that's when we started to lose games.

"We were right up there with a chance, pretty much in the top four, and when he was missing we struggled to win games. We lost our structure.

"He came back for a couple and I thought he was playing terrific against Melbourne and he got injured and we lost the game again. He's had a pretty good year when he's been on the track for us."

The Cats face Richmond at home on Sunday and Thompson is keen to go into the finals on a high.

"We'd be really disappointed if we didn't play to that same intensity and same skills as we did last weekend," Thompson said. "It proves we can play . . . and we just have to do it two weeks in a row and let the footy world know we can play."

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Do you think he should continue as Captain next year? Or give it to someone else? Ling?

 

[patdman]

The players seem to love him as captain, and I think that's probably what matters most.
If he could just get himself injury free....

 

[thehoff]

The players seem to love him as captain, and I think that's probably what matters most.
If he could just get himself injury free....

All he needs to do is get fit and he will dominate games. He needs a big pre-season. He has fantastic skills for a big man and the boys seem to want him to remain in the top job.

However, Lingy did take a few 'captains' marks late in the 4th quarter, similar to earlier in the year v's Port Adelaide.

I will still back Kingy to be back, better than ever next year.

Go cats!

 

[chapmanmagic35]

King's a good leader! This has only been brought to light because he has struggled with form due to injury.

Once Kingy is finished though, Ling will be the captain!