Manly Warringah have announced that they have signed robust prop forward Jason King to a further three year contract. The news ends speculation that King would look to a switch of clubs after the anti-tampering deadline expires on June 30.
Earlier this year King found himself at the centre of controversy after it was revealed that he may be a target of last years beaten Grand Finalists the Sydney Roosters. The revelation prompted an angry denial from Roosters coach Ricky Stuart who accused King of using the Roosters as a lever to increase Kings asking price at the negotiation table.
King made his debut in the NRL at the age of twenty for the now defunct Northern Eagles club in 2001. Now aged twenty three he has played his entire career on the Northern Beaches with the Northern Eagles and Manly. His signing will see him wearing the maroon and white colours for a further four years.
The highlight of his career to date was being named in the extended training squad for the NSW Wizard Blues in 2003. His inclusion recognised his emerging talent and was intended to further his experience of football at the elite level.
King endured a truncated season in 2004 after beginning the season late and then suffering a fracture of the foot. Such injuries, similar to that experienced by James Hird, the current captain of the Essendon Bombers, are painful and have the potential to linger. King fought back from the injury to record 10 games for Manly before having his season terminated by a suspension for striking.
He comes into the new season injury-free and is looking forward to having an impact on the NRL. His contract signing comes as Manly prepare for their final trial against the St George Illawarra Dragons and their first round meeting with the New Zealand Warriors at Ericsson Stadium on 13th March.
His retention has been welcomed by the Manly club as a sign of the faith that its current squad have in the clubs future and it is hoped that he will be followed by some of the other promising juniors in the Sea Eagles ranks making a long term commitment to the club.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph shortly after his signing, King spoke of the importance of club loyalty and the clubs bright future:
"Like a lot of people, I was a bit disillusioned by the Northern Eagles business and its just great Manly are back and they have rebuilt and we can now push for a finals spot."
"I have a lot of confidence in the club, they have a great administration and a great coach in Des Hasler."
"I don't want to play anywhere else" King said.
"This was in the pipeline for a while and its great to have gotten this over and done with."
"I love the area and grew up in the Manly district.
Matabeles view:
So, were stuck with the princess for a further three years after this one! Youll excuse me if I declare that this means the princess is due for a graduation to the status of Queen because by the end of his new contract he will indeed be the grand old lady of the Sea Eagles.
However, dont get me wrong. Im not under whelmed by the news. King has a very important year ahead of him. He has worn the tag of next big thing for a number of years. It was expected that hed realise his potential in 2004 but the year was ruined by injury.
2005 now looms as a critical year for the Queen. Turning twenty four this year he can no longer rest on the laurels of being a junior with talent. This year he will need to put up or shut up. If he is as good as has been trumpeted he really needs to begin to show it.
Whilst not privy to his goals, if hes going to be taken seriously as a Manly bookend of serious stature Id imagine hes set himself the minimum goal of making the City Origin squad in May. If this is a genuine trial for the NSW side then he would also want to be playing well enough to put himself in the frame for a sky blue jumper.
This year he has the added advantage of an up close and personal look at the dedication and ability required to be a player of stature in the form of Brent Kite and Ben Kennedy. Im sure hell also find benefit from not being the main man of the pack. This is a mantle that was thrust on him from an early age and has probably added pressure to a fledgling career. Perhaps he will blossom if hes able to fly under the radar a little more this year.
However, I also look to the early signings last year of Sam Harris, Steve Menzies and Anthony Whatmough and their subsequent loss of form and ask the question have we jumped the gun? King has a lot to prove this year if hes to justify the hype that surrounds him. Lets hope a hint of complacency doesnt creep in now that his immediate future is secure.
That being said, if he is able to fulfil the expectations of the pundits, then the club has pulled off something of a coup. By signing him early we have taken the conjecture out of his year and given him the opportunity to focus on his football. If he goes on to have a break through year we might well have saved ourselves a few extra zeros on his contract price should a bidding war for his services have broken out in 2005.
As our resident wise guy (King is studying law) lets hope hes able to process the magnitude of the faith that has been shown in him by the club and deliver the goods on the field this year.
All together now, to the tune of one of the worlds more banal anthems God Save the Queen
Good luck to our noble Queen.
Good luck to our fierce Queen.
Good luck to the Queen.
Run through victorious
Make us happy and delirious
Long may you reign oer us.
Good luck to our Queen.
Photo by byso
Earlier this year King found himself at the centre of controversy after it was revealed that he may be a target of last years beaten Grand Finalists the Sydney Roosters. The revelation prompted an angry denial from Roosters coach Ricky Stuart who accused King of using the Roosters as a lever to increase Kings asking price at the negotiation table.
King made his debut in the NRL at the age of twenty for the now defunct Northern Eagles club in 2001. Now aged twenty three he has played his entire career on the Northern Beaches with the Northern Eagles and Manly. His signing will see him wearing the maroon and white colours for a further four years.
The highlight of his career to date was being named in the extended training squad for the NSW Wizard Blues in 2003. His inclusion recognised his emerging talent and was intended to further his experience of football at the elite level.
King endured a truncated season in 2004 after beginning the season late and then suffering a fracture of the foot. Such injuries, similar to that experienced by James Hird, the current captain of the Essendon Bombers, are painful and have the potential to linger. King fought back from the injury to record 10 games for Manly before having his season terminated by a suspension for striking.
He comes into the new season injury-free and is looking forward to having an impact on the NRL. His contract signing comes as Manly prepare for their final trial against the St George Illawarra Dragons and their first round meeting with the New Zealand Warriors at Ericsson Stadium on 13th March.
His retention has been welcomed by the Manly club as a sign of the faith that its current squad have in the clubs future and it is hoped that he will be followed by some of the other promising juniors in the Sea Eagles ranks making a long term commitment to the club.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph shortly after his signing, King spoke of the importance of club loyalty and the clubs bright future:
"Like a lot of people, I was a bit disillusioned by the Northern Eagles business and its just great Manly are back and they have rebuilt and we can now push for a finals spot."
"I have a lot of confidence in the club, they have a great administration and a great coach in Des Hasler."
"I don't want to play anywhere else" King said.
"This was in the pipeline for a while and its great to have gotten this over and done with."
"I love the area and grew up in the Manly district.
Matabeles view:
So, were stuck with the princess for a further three years after this one! Youll excuse me if I declare that this means the princess is due for a graduation to the status of Queen because by the end of his new contract he will indeed be the grand old lady of the Sea Eagles.
However, dont get me wrong. Im not under whelmed by the news. King has a very important year ahead of him. He has worn the tag of next big thing for a number of years. It was expected that hed realise his potential in 2004 but the year was ruined by injury.
2005 now looms as a critical year for the Queen. Turning twenty four this year he can no longer rest on the laurels of being a junior with talent. This year he will need to put up or shut up. If he is as good as has been trumpeted he really needs to begin to show it.
Whilst not privy to his goals, if hes going to be taken seriously as a Manly bookend of serious stature Id imagine hes set himself the minimum goal of making the City Origin squad in May. If this is a genuine trial for the NSW side then he would also want to be playing well enough to put himself in the frame for a sky blue jumper.
This year he has the added advantage of an up close and personal look at the dedication and ability required to be a player of stature in the form of Brent Kite and Ben Kennedy. Im sure hell also find benefit from not being the main man of the pack. This is a mantle that was thrust on him from an early age and has probably added pressure to a fledgling career. Perhaps he will blossom if hes able to fly under the radar a little more this year.
However, I also look to the early signings last year of Sam Harris, Steve Menzies and Anthony Whatmough and their subsequent loss of form and ask the question have we jumped the gun? King has a lot to prove this year if hes to justify the hype that surrounds him. Lets hope a hint of complacency doesnt creep in now that his immediate future is secure.
That being said, if he is able to fulfil the expectations of the pundits, then the club has pulled off something of a coup. By signing him early we have taken the conjecture out of his year and given him the opportunity to focus on his football. If he goes on to have a break through year we might well have saved ourselves a few extra zeros on his contract price should a bidding war for his services have broken out in 2005.
As our resident wise guy (King is studying law) lets hope hes able to process the magnitude of the faith that has been shown in him by the club and deliver the goods on the field this year.
All together now, to the tune of one of the worlds more banal anthems God Save the Queen
Good luck to our noble Queen.
Good luck to our fierce Queen.
Good luck to the Queen.
Run through victorious
Make us happy and delirious
Long may you reign oer us.
Good luck to our Queen.
