King Regains His Bite

[SteveRFC]

IT WOULD be fair to say that Jake King had an up-and-down year in 2008.

A great start faded into injury problems with all the attendant frustrations.

“Yeah, it wasn’t too flash, and it all came from my back,” he told richmondfc.com.au.

“I did my hamstring three times, and they were all back-related.
“Then when I tried to come back I ended up doing my ankle, I tore all the ligaments and the muscles.

“I just had a shocking second half of the year.”

However, that is all behind the 24-year-old as he prepares for 2009 with his injuries under control.

“They’re all good now, no dramas at all. It just means I’ve got extra work to do to look after myself,” King said.

Rest of the story:

http://richmondfc.com.au/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsid=70718

I particularly liked this part from the article

“I want to be someone that the boys can rely on week to week – no flashy stuff, just does the job.

and

“I want my skills to improve enormously, my engine to become a lot bigger [so] I can push through physically and mentally, but I’d still like it to make it that little bit easier for me,” he said.

 

[toppstar]

For all the flaws this guy has as a footballer, you certainly could never say he doesn't try! If everybody put in as much work as he does, there would be no question that we would be playing finals next season!

I hope that he can rub off on someone like a Tom Hislop! Show him how hard he needs to work and not take anything for granted!

I like the fact that Kingy is aware of the things he needs to improve on. That's the first step! Whether he does actually improve well thats another thread for another time! Even if he isn't necessarily in the best 22, i think there's a role for a personality such as his at any club!

 

[coke_zero]

one minute we love the guy the next we all hate him. hope he comes back better than ever and proves every one worong and that he can play good footy.

 

[Mario Speedwagon]

Whether he does actually improve well thats another thread for another time!

Why wouldn't this thread be an appropriate place to discuss those things?

 

[Tigerrific]

So many people were bagging him this season, if they'd realised that he was injured maybe they would have cut him some slack.

If his first season is a true indication of his ability he is well worth his spot on the list.

 

[St Francis]

So many people were bagging him this season, if they'd realised that he was injured maybe they would have cut him some slack.

If his first season is a true indication of his ability he is well worth his spot on the list.

I Agree!
Hes a hard nut and gives 110% each week.
He got exposed a couple of times last year, just too attacking sometimes comming out of the back line when he should have been accountable.
Thats prob what hes talking about when he says that he needs to work on some things..
maybe TW could look at playing him up the groung so that his clangers dont turn into goals for the opposition as they tended to do alot last year?

 

[ScallyWag1]

So many people were bagging him this season, if they'd realised that he was injured maybe they would have cut him some slack.

If his first season is a true indication of his ability he is well worth his spot on the list.

agreed. he definitely has a crack, and while he's not the most skilled i'd have him in the 22.

 

[tugga]

agreed. he definitely has a crack, and while he's not the most skilled i'd have him in the 22.

Problem is...over the journey we've had too many guys who do one thing but not the other. We've had guys who've had a dip, but have been exposed skills and decision-making wise. On the flip side we've had guys who have had all the skill in the world, but have lacked a mongrel streak (ie Bowden).
Would be nice to see him improve on his deficencies, but really, how much more can a 25-year-old who's played 20 AFL games improve?

 

[ScallyWag1]

Problem is...over the journey we've had too many guys who do one thing but not the other. We've had guys who've had a dip, but have been exposed skills and decision-making wise. On the flip side we've had guys who have had all the skill in the world, but have lacked a mongrel streak (ie Bowden).
Would be nice to see him improve on his deficencies, but really, how much more can a 25-year-old who's played 20 AFL games improve?

i hope he can improve the skills, sounds like he's working on them, and he's quick.

i actually didn't mind when they popped him forward toward the end of the year

 

[CoggaRules]

Problem is...over the journey we've had too many guys who do one thing but not the other. We've had guys who've had a dip, but have been exposed skills and decision-making wise. On the flip side we've had guys who have had all the skill in the world, but have lacked a mongrel streak (ie Bowden).
Would be nice to see him improve on his deficencies, but really, how much more can a 25-year-old who's played 20 AFL games improve?

reckon he is better than what he has shown us tugg.

 

[tugga]

reckon he is better than what he has shown us tugg.

To be honest, I'm not pinning my hopes for the club on a mature-age player who we are yet to see whether he can cut it or not (and I don't think he can).
All players have deficencies. Robert Harvey wasn't blessed with pace, but still never got tackled for pretty much a decade. Jake's problems are that he has a multitude of deciencies and you can't fix that when you're 25.
happy to stand corrected if I'm wrong though. Wouldn't be the first time.

 

[CoggaRules]

To be honest, I'm not pinning my hopes for the club on a mature-age player who we are yet to see whether he can cut it or not (and I don't think he can).
All players have deficencies. Robert Harvey wasn't blessed with pace, but still never got tackled for pretty much a decade. Jake's problems are that he has a multitude of deciencies and you can't fix that when you're 25.
happy to stand corrected if I'm wrong though. Wouldn't be the first time.

understand ya dude, but we tend to forget he was thrust into the big time at the drop of a hat and it was his first year. Played on adrenaline all year, and IMO cost him his biggest strength, his "brain".

 

[emperor]

Logic would tell you King will not be able to overcome his deficiencies at his age.

Logic would also tell you a jockey sized midfielder, post draft age footballer playing for Nth Heidleberg wouldn't make his way onto an AFL list at age 23.

I don' expect him to 'make it', but I don't mind that we kept him.

 

[one eyedtiger]

Hope he comes good. We really need a small defender, so if he improves in the areas that he mentioned hopefully he can turn into that player. Tough as nails and always gives 110%.

 

[deliberate!!]

I've always loved Kingy's heart.

 

[Woodstock]

He's the 1st person I select each week

From the backline ... "King ....

 

[getthefooty]

Great heart, brilliant attitude and from all reports a top bloke.

Just a shit footballer. On thin ice.

 

[Madtiger2006]

King still has plenty going for him. Didn't realise he did his hammy 3 times then his ankle in 2008. He's quick and aggressive and provides very good rebound. His kicking isn't bad at all. He's pretty capable on either foot on the run. His problem is not really decision making, it's more about the occasional brain fade. Sometimes he might get a free and he'll lazily handball to someone running past but not check to see if the player is manned up. That's the only problem I've had with King, but it didn't happen much anyway and it's just a minor problem imo as it's just being a bit lazy. He's not too bad under pressure when he has to get out of trouble though. He makes less mistakes than Mcmahon and isn't suited to playing back pocket on bigger and more experienced opponents such as Shannon Grant. I think he'll be great at half back if he breaks back into the team. People seem to forget his qualities and exhaggerate his problems. I think he'll be more than handy to come into the 22 if we get 2 or 3 injuries. Could be a revelation in the midfield. He needs to be played somewhere between the 50m arcs because he is a very attacking rebounder and if his opponent does get loose, you'd prefer it to be between the arcs and not in the goal square

 

[Mario Speedwagon]

Great heart, brilliant attitude and from all reports a top bloke.

Just a shit footballer. On thin ice.

/thread

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

I read the article - he's learnt how important it is to look after his body, and let his onfield-performance do the talking.

Go Kingy!

 

[richoatthedisco]

/thread

x2.

 

[sante]

reckon he is better than what he has shown us tugg.

Agreed. He wants to do everything he can and thats more you can say for others.

 

[CoggaRules]

Agreed. He wants to do everything he can and thats more you can say for others.

yeah reckon he is trying to do to much and its affected his game. Seen a bit of him when he played at Coburg, and he was a super cagey smart player, who was elevated because of it and just tried to hard to impress last year. If he settles down he will be just fine.

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

I love his tencious attitude. He is our enforcer. I pissed myself laughing when he took on and stood up to Gherig in Rnd7.

 

[Top_4_Tiger]

I think on attitude alone Kingy is just about every supporter's 2nd favourite player

He just needs to play better, more consistently.