Jake King new deal likely after regal form (Age)

[one-eyed]

King deal likely after regal form
Caroline Wilson
May 25, 2011

CULTISH Tigers star Jake King has entered contract negotiations with Richmond, just nine months after signing a one-year deal some believed would be his last.

The club's general manager of football, Craig Cameron, confirmed yesterday he had scheduled preliminary talks with King's management for tomorrow, refusing to comment further, although it is understood the King camp are pushing for a deal securing the former mature-age rookie to the club until 2013.

King, 27, has been in superb form this season after a promising second half of 2010 which propelled him from regular games at Coburg to finishing in the top 10 in last year's best-and-fairest.

The contract talks have fallen fortuitously for his management group, Stride, which also represent Alex Rance and Robin Nahas, both of whom turned in impressive performances in the victory over Essendon last Saturday night,

Rance, 21 and Nahas, 23, also come out of contract at the end of 2011. The club is understood to be looking at new deals for all three players, with tomorrow's talks pivotal to launching new agreements.

But King has proved the most compelling story given his early unsuccessful attempts to be drafted before finally catching the eye of Richmond in the 2007 rookie draft.

Elevated to the main list on a two-year contract in 2009, King became best known for his determination to achieve regular senior selection despite being seen as lacking in size and elite ability, along with boasting a fiery temper - a temperament that led him to miss this season's opening round after being suspended at the end of last season, and famously confronting former Richmond coach Terry Wallace regarding player concerns in Wallace's final, unhappy season at the club.

A crowd favourite in Richmond's improved performances this season - and bete noire for opposition fans - King has repeatedly sought advice from Kangaroo legend Glenn Archer, his self-appointed mentor.

The fact that King, Nahas and Rance are all in line for extended contracts speaks volumes for Richmond's development and comes with the club already having secured Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt.

The mooted threat from Greater Western Sydney, which was reported to be eyeing dual club champion Brett Deledio, was strongly denied this week by the Giants.

But in a significant short-term setback for the club's depleted defensive stocks, promising youngster Dylan Grimes will miss at least 10 weeks after he sustained a hamstring injury against the Bombers. He underwent surgery yesterday.

Grimes joins Kelvin Moore on the sidelines, with Moore facing the possibility of missing the rest of the season, and certainly the next 10 weeks. Will Thursfield also remains unavailable for Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide in Darwin.

But Riewoldt insisted he would make the trip to the Northern Territory, despite withdrawing from a media promotion at Punt Road yesterday with Melbourne Victory's Archie Thompson. The pair had been scheduled to have a goalkicking competition but Riewoldt pulled out, with officials citing calf tightness.

''It's nothing for me, really, it's just an off day with the legs,'' said Riewoldt, who heads this year's Coleman Medal by one goal from Lance Franklin. ''We played on Saturday night and generally 72 hours after the game, you're still not getting out and having a kick around.

''As a group, we're trying to keep things low-key and obviously trying to prepare for Darwin as best we can.''

Riewoldt also apologised for lifting the lid on teammate Reece Conca's NAB Rising Star nomination one day early via Twitter.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/king-deal-likely-after-regal-form-20110524-1f2ll.html

[10 FLAGS]

1 year deal only IMHO 

[Francois Jackson]

1 year deal only IMHO 

No 2 he should get and deserves. He was told to ship up and that he did. Shows great character

He is playing some great footy. Whilst i still dont believe there is no room for all of  Nason, Nahas, White and King in the same team i believe King has earned his spot.

Im really enjoying watching him play to be honest

[Loui Tufga]

1 year deal only IMHO 

No 2 he should get and deserves. He was told to ship up and that he did. Shows great character

He is playing some great footy. Whilst i still dont believe there is no room for all of  Nason, Nahas, White and King in the same team i believe King has earned his spot.

Im really enjoying watching him play to be honest

I agree, he has worked his arse off for the club and should be rewarded for his efforts. If only all our players showed the endeavor he has, a few could take a leaf out of his book.

[10 FLAGS]

At his age he should be happy to get ongoing 1 year deals based on his capacity and output. I agree he should play in 2012.

[blaisee]

rance is the critical one of the three, could very well be a gun FB like darren glass but better

[one-eyed]

Contract reward for 'push-up' King

    Staff writers
    From: Herald Sun
    May 25, 2011

RICHMOND cult hero Jake King is on the verge of signing new contract with the Tigers.

Nine months into a one-year deal, the 178cm small forward - not so long ago considered by many as too small and slow for the modern game - is likely to sign on for two more years after showing brilliant early season form.
 
''I assume we are looking at least two years,''  Tom Petroro, from King's management group Stride, told SEN today.
 
Petroro said this time last year King would have thought his days on the AFL were numbered as he ran around with the club's VFL team Coburg.
 
''He would have thought every week was a bonus,'' he said, adding that a combination of hard work and support from coach Damien Hardwick had turned it all around.
 
''To Damien's and Jake's credit they've found a really important role for him in the team. You'd have to say he's one of the most improved players in the competition.''
 
King has kicked 17 goals so far this year and proved a dynamic part of a Tiger resurgence that has seen them win four of their past five matches to sit just outside the top eight, on percentage.
 
Petroro said Kings was one of football's great stories - an example of what dedication and self belief can produce.
 
''Jake does a lot of boxing and a lot of extra fitness work away from the club to get himself to the level he is,'' he said.
 
''But its not just what he does to make himself a better player, its what he does with the other boys. His direction and ability to protect the young boys on the forward line is obvious.''
 
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/contract-reward-for-push-up-king/story-e6frf9io-1226062395576

[Rodgerramjet]

This contract is good timming for Jake and his management, which is probably why it has been bought up by them (smart move) however the club should wait on a two year extention but give him an extra year now if they have to.

[Penelope]

one year with a performance based option of a second.

[tony_montana]

2 years on less $$$ or 1 year with an option for more $$$.

I'd rather give him 2 - you reward workers for hardwork and results, he's done both admirably

[Rodgerramjet]

2 years on less $$$ or 1 year with an option for more $$$.

I'd rather give him 2 - you reward workers for hardwork and results, he's done both admirably

Yes you do, but based on a season, not 9 games. Its nothing but a tactical move by his management (a good one) because at the moment his currency is probably at an all time high. I would like to see our club hold off on making a quick decision on this when there is no need secure him yet.

[WA Tiger]

1 year end of story, we dont need to get caught up in the mistakes of the past and the hype of the present......ala Gaspar.....yes King is going along nicely however at 27 he could just as easly turn the other way again.

No more deals beyond 3 years form mine unless we are trying to keep the likes of Martin, Riewoldt, Cotchin etc....

[mat073]

If you count the end of 2010, Jake King has now kicked 28 goals in his past 13 games.

[Coach]

1 year end of story, we dont need to get caught up in the mistakes of the past and the hype of the present......ala Gaspar.....yes King is going along nicely however at 27 he could just as easly turn the other way again.

No more deals beyond 3 years form mine unless we are trying to keep the likes of Martin, Riewoldt, Cotchin etc....

Gaspar was gun fullback when we signed him to that mammoth deal (in the end he took a pay cut anyway). Still, i see your point.

two year deal performance based for kingy 

[WA Tiger]

1 year end of story, we dont need to get caught up in the mistakes of the past and the hype of the present......ala Gaspar.....yes King is going along nicely however at 27 he could just as easly turn the other way again.

No more deals beyond 3 years form mine unless we are trying to keep the likes of Martin, Riewoldt, Cotchin etc....

Gaspar was gun fullback when we signed him to that mammoth deal (in the end he took a pay cut anyway). Still, i see your point.

two year deal performance based for kingy 

Yeah fair enough Davey...agree, he does deserve it.