In the final of a special post-season series on richmondfc.com.au - the 12 things we learnt in 2012 from a Yellow and Black perspective - Tony Greenberg analyses the importance of Jake King to the Tigers’ line-up.

No. 12:  Jake King is Richmond’s barometer.

Although Jake King endured a frustrating, injury-riddled season in 2012, it also further highlighted how valuable the spirited, small forward is to the Richmond side.

King managed only 12 games this season, with the Tigers winning seven of them.  Of the 10 games he was absent for, the team lost six and drew one.

The year before, King played in every one of Richmond’s eight and a half (a draw with St Kilda) wins, with the Tigers losing all three of the games in which he was sidelined.

And, in 2010, which was Damien Hardwick’s first year as Richmond coach, King played in every one of the Tigers’ six wins.  He missed seven games that season, and Richmond lost them all!

It’s no coincidence that when King’s up and going, the Tigers are a much better team.
In Richmond’s best performance of season 2012 - the 62-point thrashing of this Saturday’s warm Grand Final favorite, Hawthorn, at the MCG in Round 9 - the 28-year-old was at his feisty best.

What do you admire most about Jake King as a player?

He booted three goals, had a hand in a few others, and frequently unsettled the Hawks by getting right in their faces, classic King style.

Then, in the Round 14 clash with eventual 2012 preliminary finalist, Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, King played a pivotal role in Richmond bolting to a 33-point lead at quarter-time.

Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in the second term, which forced him to the sidelines for the rest of the match and the Crows, appreciating the absence of the inspirational Tiger “pocket rocket”, fought back to take the points.

King missed the next three games due to his knee problem, returned for a further four appearances, before a fractured toe forced him to miss the final two rounds of the season.

Given the number of operations King has been forced to undergo since the end of the home-and-away season, it’s a credit to him that he was able to play as many games, and be as productive as he was, throughout 2012.

Let’s hope the “injury gods” smile on “Kingy” in season 2013, because there’s no doubt his on-field presence (with all the attributes he possesses) is a key factor in the Tigers’ plans to take that significant next step.

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Ty Vickery
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