St Kilda ahead Max King could possibly lay declare to proudly owning the most important calves within the competitors when he returns to the sector later this season.
The Saints talisman says he has discovered a “silver lining” in his restoration from a shoulder reconstruction, including important bulk to his decrease physique that he hopes will give him extra energy.
King mentioned there was nonetheless no timeline on his return, however the 22-year-old looms as an much more troublesome opponent for key defenders than in 2022 when he kicked a career-best 52 objectives.
The added measurement of the Saints’ main goalkicker is corresponding to Nat Fyfe’s transformation over the 2015 pre-season, with the Fremantle midfielder’s elevated explosiveness a key contributor to his first Brownlow Medal.
“It’s a little bit of a silver lining spending more time in the gym, and I guess early days with the shoulder, where you can’t really do much upper body stuff,” King mentioned.
“It’s a good opportunity to smash a bit of leg weights and try and stay strong and put some size on.
“You sort of forget (in rehab) what it felt like to be fully healthy, but I feel good out there, I feel powerful.”
The shoulder setback following a severe knee harm in his draft 12 months had not affected King’s religion in his physique’s skill to satisfy the calls for of the sport, he mentioned.
“I’ve had about three years now of pretty consistent footy and the body has held up pretty well,” King mentioned.
“This injury is pretty unlucky – a contact sort of injury that could’ve happened to anyone.”
King’s key ahead associate Tim Membrey stays doubtful for spherical 1 following minor knee surgical procedure in February, with the sharpshooter saying he was nonetheless restricted to “slow jogging” and time within the gymnasium two weeks out from the Saints’ season opener.
“I got out yesterday and had a bit of a trot – it’s feeling good,” Membrey mentioned.
“If it’s feeling good I’ll be putting my hand up, but it’s still a couple of weeks away, so I’ll be trying my best.
“I don’t think it’s something that we need to push if it does get dicey … it’s a long season.”
Membrey mentioned the position of King’s substitute, prone to be considered one of Dougal Howard or Zaine Cordy, could be merely to offer a contest and produce the ball to floor for the Saints’ small forwards.
“It’s going to be an exciting opportunity for someone to grab early in the season,” he mentioned.
“Whether it’s Dougal or Zaine up there, or Mitch Owens can play that role as well, as long as they’re competing and bringing the ball to ground, we’ve got some dangerous small forwards who can certainly hit the scoreboard.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
