King to make good on coach's faithRICHMOND midfielder Jake King says he is determined to repay coach Jade Rawlings for the second chance he received five weeks ago by making himself an automatic selection every round next year.
King, 25, had played just two senior games this year in rounds two and three before being recalled for the Tigers' round 15 clash with Carlton.
He said Rawlings – who coached him for seven games at Coburg this year - offered him a reprieve four weeks after Terry Wallace resigned as Richmond coach.
"Jade and Wayne [Campbell] and the coaching staff and leadership group and all the players have been right behind me the whole way," he told richmondfc.com.au.
"I stuck to the trademarks and behaviours, and Jade was with me at Coburg and said that as long as I kept doing the right thing, things would work out.
"He turned around and said: you've done everything I've asked, here's your spot, go and make the most of it."
King has played every game since round 15 and was Richmond's best player against the Sydney Swans on Sunday.
He said he couldn't explain how grateful he was to Rawlings and his support staff for the opportunity to return to the senior side.
"Just to get given a second chance to get out there and do the right thing by the boys means a lot to me," he said.
"It gives me a chance to make up for all the things I've done wrong in the last 12 months, and all the injuries I've had.
"It's good to finally put them behind me and actually move forward, and keep going forward with the group."
King, who came to Richmond via the 2007 NAB AFL Rookie Draft, has one year left to run on his current contract.
He said he was determined to remain in the side for the final three games of the home-and-away season, and was focussed on establishing his worth for a regular spot next season.
"On an individual basis, I want to be there at the end of the year ... to show them I can be a part of the side next year, and hopefully we can get a few wins on the board to take into the next season.
"It's a good feeling if you can win a few games and take that into the next season, because with a bit more confidence with the younger boys, it could be a good thing."
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