Jake King has found his niche in AFL football . . .
Following stints as a small defender and tagger, the feisty Tiger has taken to his new role, as a defensive forward, like a duck to water.
King spent the final few weeks of the 2010 season applying “frontal pressure” in his inimitable style, and also providing the team with strong offensive drive.
He kicked 11 goals in the last five rounds, and created a number of opportunities for team-mates with his lively play.
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Such was King’s finish to the season that he managed to grab ninth place in Richmond’s Best and Fairest - his best result since starting his league career with the Club in 2007.
“It’s been really challenging, but, at the same time, really enjoyable,” King said of his new on-field assignment.
“You find that most of the damaging backmen in the competition are offensive weapons, so you do the role on those boys and do what you’ve got to do . . . you have to be really competitive, but I love a challenge and, hopefully, it’s the start of something good.”
Not surprisingly, the 26-year-old is prepared to do whatever it takes in a bid to ensure he makes a decent fist of his new role, and continues to be a valuable contributor to the Yellow and Black cause.
“I need to keep working on my skill level and my fitness. The blokes you play on (opposition running backmen) are very explosive players - get the ball, run, deliver - so for me, it’s a matter of being able to burst run with them and then also run the other way, and push forward really hard,” he said.
