Cleaning up TigerlandJackie Epstein | August 02, 2009
JAKE King is proud of the bullish reputation he has developed during his short time in football.
But the softer side of his tough exterior was exposed last week after the Tigers' win over Essendon.
"I think it was the first time I'd smiled in so long after a game," King, 25, said.
"It was just such relief to get points on the board. I hadn't played in a winning side for quite some time (Round 9 last year).
''I was injured last year when they won nine games, I had a hammy and then I had a reco on my ankle, so I missed all of that.
"The draw (against North Melbourne) felt worse than a loss. It was a shocking feeling, an emptiness inside knowing we had the game there and should have won it.
"Then to come into half-time against Essendon, being in front again, we had more mature heads come over and talk to us all saying, 'We're not going to let it happen again'.
"There was no one walking with their heads down, everyone was looking each other in the eye and you knew that no matter what the end result was, everyone of them was going to have a crack and fight this one.
"But it was a good win and that was it. It doesn't mean anything now. We've got to do it again this week."
King's passion for the Richmond Football Club is unflinching. He is often maligned by supporters, but his bull-at-a-gate attitude can't be faulted.
Even through recent hiccups surrounding the departure of Terry Wallace at the start of June, he has always been determined to produce his best.
''After a stint with Coburg in the VFL he has played the past three senior games.
"I'd say I've been given a job and done my role," King said.
"I got given a role to do for the team and the boys are happy and the coaching staff are happy I've been doing my role. I'd still like to be playing better footy, but you've got to start somewhere.
"It's more a role playing a midfielder as a backman. Just being close, staying right on them and not giving them the opportunity to run off and do their own thing.
"But also if the opportunity is there to go and win the ball, go get it and use it. Being put into the midfield has been a different challenge, but I've enjoyed it.
"I played that role a bit for Jade (Rawlings) while I was at Coburg and he thought I could do it in the seniors.
''(Assistant coach) Wayne Campbell has supported me 110 per cent and helped me out with that.
"I've been taught how to run pretty much until the mind says you can keep going no matter what the body feels or is thinking. I'm able to just push through and see out the game."
Like many Tigers, King has relished his opportunity under the caretaker coach.
He said Rawlings had been a breath of fresh air.
"Jade's slotted in nicely and he just calls it how it is," King said.
"If he's got something to say, he'll say it. On the other hand, if you have something to say to him he'll listen to you and take it on board.
''If he's got an issue he'll let it out, deal with it then and move on straight after. He lives in the now. He just calls it how it is. There's not enough people like that.
"The boys are all pretty happy. The feeling around the club, it's just getting cleaned up. Being told straight out how it is, there's nowhere to hide, you know you've got to cop the good with the bad.
''And the boys are becoming really close to one another and it's actually starting to become the team it should be."
King has played only 38 games, but is incredibly positive about his future prospects.
He has bought a house in Northcote, is settled with his girlfriend and continues to develop. He is intent on keeping his spot in the team.
"If I was to go back and start playing Coburg footy again, I'd be that dirty on myself it wouldn't be funny," King said.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25867595-19742,00.html
