Ben King has been backed to snap out of his mini-slump as Gold Coast search a response of their first recreation because the sacking of coach Stuart Dew.
Assistant Steven King will coach the workforce in opposition to St Kilda in spherical 18 after Dew was axed on Tuesday with a season nonetheless to run on his AFL contract.
At 7-9 the Suns are only one win and proportion outdoors the highest eight however are prone to want six wins from their final seven video games to qualify for a maiden finals berth.
King – a premiership participant at Geelong and assistant coach when the Western Bulldogs gained the grand remaining in 2016 – has labelled the conflict in opposition to the fifth-placed Saints as “must-win”; however not for its potential impact on the ladder.
“Not when it comes to finals, this is a must-win just in regards to how we respond,” he stated.
“Players will have different responses (to Dew’s departure).
“So we enable them to specific their emotions, however simply get them enthusiastic about being again at footy. That’s what all of us love doing and why we’re right here.
“Their attitudes were all positive; you could tell they were up for it.”
Those gamers embody key ahead King, whose nice return from a season-long knee damage has hit a snag.
After kicking at the least a aim in his first 14 video games – and a number of targets in 10 of them – King hasn’t registered a serious in his final two appearances.
Against Port Adelaide he was substituted within the second half with only one ineffective disposal.
“He’s a resilient young man, gone through a lot,” King stated of his namesake.
“His attitude’s been amazing and he’s been amazing on the track.
“He’s educated effectively, is a proud younger man who’s getting back from a big damage and I’ve acquired full confidence.”
Miller returned from his own knee injury last week but had his minutes capped, a scenario unlikely to be repeated at Heritage Bank Stadium on Saturday.
“Touk might be unleashed in a extra regular capability,” King said.
Running defender Lachie Weller (knee soreness) will miss the game, while Elijah Hollands been named for the first time since round four.
Josh Battle comes again from concussion and Brad Hill from a knee damage for the Saints, who will debut Jack Peris, the son of Olympic hockey champion and Commonwealth Games athletics gold medallist Nova.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
