Gold Coast interim coach Steven King is but to offer “too much thought” to the potential of taking cost of Richmond subsequent 12 months, saying his focus was on ending this season on a optimistic word earlier than handing over the Suns’ reins to Damien Hardwick.
Having stepped up from his assistant teaching job when appointed in a caretaker head function following the sacking of Stuart Dew in July, King’s tenure involves an finish on Saturday when the Suns meet North Melbourne in Hobart.
Despite having led the Suns to simply two wins from six matches, King has impressed critics, with the spotlight of his stint being the Gold Coast’s 41-point QClash victory over premiership contenders Brisbane on July 29.
King’s work has led to him being mooted as a contender for Hardwick’s outdated job on the Tigers that’s occupied in an interim capability by Andrew McQualter.
However, King hasn’t let himself get distracted by discuss of Richmond’s curiosity in him.
“I haven’t given too much thought to that,” he stated on Wednesday.
“It would be disrespectful while I’m still in this role doing this job. My full focus has been just on doing the best possible job I could, and I probably couldn’t manage at the moment having my eyes on this and my hands dirty doing this and also trying to manage and juggle worrying about another opportunity at this stage.
“Any time you finish a season … you want to go out on a high. You don’t want to put in a really poor performance because that lingers for a long time.”
King additionally stated he was thrilled by the prospect of working underneath teaching nice Hardwick, who has signed a six-year take care of the Suns.
“To get someone of Damien’s calibre to come up here and commit to the club is really exciting and he’s exactly what this club needs,” King stated.
“As an assistant for a long time, you sit back and think ‘I wonder if I could do that (head coach role)’.
“At least now I know I can. so that gives me great comfort and confidence going forward, but I’m just excited about … getting my hands dirty with the midfield group and having the opportunity now to work with a three-time premiership coach. That’s going to be great for my development.
“I’m really committed here and I’ve loved my time up on the coast.”
King stated he would make sure the Suns have been “motivated”, moderately than “distracted”, on Saturday by the probability of Hardwick watching the sport “really closely”.
“If you’re a player and even a staff member, it’s got to give you motivation and excitement to want to finish the year strongly and even put on a good show,” he stated.
The Suns will probably be with out the versatile Jack Lukosius, who has had ankle surgical procedure, and Bailey Humphrey, who has ruptured a tendon in his finger.
Full-forward Ben King will even be absent for a 3rd successive recreation with knee swelling.
Originally printed as Gold Coast interim coach Steven King intent on ending his tenure with a win over North Melbourne
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
