I feel sorry for Max King

[Devilhead]

King is completely clueless on how to use his body

Case in point was in the 2nd quarter where the ball was kicked across the front of the goal square to King at the back one out and behind a smaller opponent - all he had to do was use his body to push the smaller defender under the ball and extend his arms however in the end he was lucky to even get a hand on it cause he panicked and couldn't handle the smaller player backing into him

He is way better when he doesn't have time to think about unfortunately the long bombs give him too much time and the defender time as well

He needs another 15kg and needs to toughen up

I can’t believe this tripe
King doesn’t have a body - even Richardson said tonight he’s virtually Bambi FFS
He should be instructed to lead up into space and jump he is 200cm and when he jumps with that reach very few will go with him ffs it’s not about he can’t use his body now....he shouldn’t have to if the ball coming in was kicked out in some space for him to lead into
Aka when Sinclair kicked it fat side so Membrey could lead up on it
Honestly stats aren’t helping you

Not sure we saw King lead once tonight inside the forward 50 so if he is instructed to do it then he clearly isn't following instructions or he has no space to lead into.

Lead comes first ...... then the kick - the Membrey example you put forth is a good one

Another case in point was when Sinclair streamed out of the middle late in the 2nd quarter and not one forward led to him King included and there was ample space to lead up into - no lead so the Sinclair had no option but to put it on King and Marshalls head

I also very clearly said he needs to put on 15 kg because he is too light hence why he struggles with body contact which every forward in the history of the game has had to contend with ...... it's not all leads and roses and poppies cupcake - if King wants to be an all round gun forward then he needs to learn to use his body when caught under the ball - currently it is not a strength due to his lack of strength

So really my post was far from tripe but it sadly seems you can't but help let our previous interactions on other subjects effect your judgement and postings..... you coming across quite irrational

Anyway let it go Elsa ...... let it go ........
.

Sorry Elsa?
Anyhoo
I think the point your missing (again, you miss a few..) is our forwards get many goals 15-20 out so clearly they are being instructed to play closer to goal ....they’re not cows that herd together cause they enjoy each other’s smell..

Think you’ll find that’s why a young King isn’t leading up into the footy cause he’s not being instructed to and the kicker is being told get deep entries
All of which means the balk gets bombed into 50 on Kings head and he doesn’t have the body to play that
You keeping up ?
Now in later years I’d expect to see King play closer to goals and that’s ok not now
I don’t that’s irrational I just think your illogical and that makes it hard for you to stay on topic
But carry on with the cheap childish jibes....but do at least make them mildly amusing or creative as your last crop have been very pedestrian.

You seriously think the coaching group are instructing King not to lead - taking away his one strength?

And he coaching group are instructing our kickers to bomb it in on his head?

Tell me why would they instruct our team to do that knowing full well that King isn't body ready?

Membrey should be dropped for going against instructions when he led and marked - lucky he kicked it I guess .... shame he missed the others though

Hey if you want to hug ... let me know

[whiskers3614]

Surely we have a runner?
If Max's instructions are to lead and he keeps standing still....
DRAG HIM!

[Devilhead]

Just need someone to ask Ratten and we could clear all this up

[Teflon]

King is completely clueless on how to use his body

Case in point was in the 2nd quarter where the ball was kicked across the front of the goal square to King at the back one out and behind a smaller opponent - all he had to do was use his body to push the smaller defender under the ball and extend his arms however in the end he was lucky to even get a hand on it cause he panicked and couldn't handle the smaller player backing into him

He is way better when he doesn't have time to think about unfortunately the long bombs give him too much time and the defender time as well

He needs another 15kg and needs to toughen up

I can’t believe this tripe
King doesn’t have a body - even Richardson said tonight he’s virtually Bambi FFS
He should be instructed to lead up into space and jump he is 200cm and when he jumps with that reach very few will go with him ffs it’s not about he can’t use his body now....he shouldn’t have to if the ball coming in was kicked out in some space for him to lead into
Aka when Sinclair kicked it fat side so Membrey could lead up on it
Honestly stats aren’t helping you

Not sure we saw King lead once tonight inside the forward 50 so if he is instructed to do it then he clearly isn't following instructions or he has no space to lead into.

Lead comes first ...... then the kick - the Membrey example you put forth is a good one

Another case in point was when Sinclair streamed out of the middle late in the 2nd quarter and not one forward led to him King included and there was ample space to lead up into - no lead so the Sinclair had no option but to put it on King and Marshalls head

I also very clearly said he needs to put on 15 kg because he is too light hence why he struggles with body contact which every forward in the history of the game has had to contend with ...... it's not all leads and roses and poppies cupcake - if King wants to be an all round gun forward then he needs to learn to use his body when caught under the ball - currently it is not a strength due to his lack of strength

So really my post was far from tripe but it sadly seems you can't but help let our previous interactions on other subjects effect your judgement and postings..... you coming across quite irrational

Anyway let it go Elsa ...... let it go ........
.

Sorry Elsa?
Anyhoo
I think the point your missing (again, you miss a few..) is our forwards get many goals 15-20 out so clearly they are being instructed to play closer to goal ....they’re not cows that herd together cause they enjoy each other’s smell..

Think you’ll find that’s why a young King isn’t leading up into the footy cause he’s not being instructed to and the kicker is being told get deep entries
All of which means the balk gets bombed into 50 on Kings head and he doesn’t have the body to play that
You keeping up ?
Now in later years I’d expect to see King play closer to goals and that’s ok not now
I don’t that’s irrational I just think your illogical and that makes it hard for you to stay on topic
But carry on with the cheap childish jibes....but do at least make them mildly amusing or creative as your last crop have been very pedestrian.

You seriously think the coaching group are instructing King not to lead - taking away his one strength?

And he coaching group are instructing our kickers to bomb it in on his head?

Tell me why would they instruct our team to do that knowing full well that King isn't body ready?

Membrey should be dropped for going against instructions when he led and marked - lucky he kicked it I guess .... shame he missed the others though

Hey if you want to hug ... let me know

Why do all our forwards play so close to goal ?
Do you think King is scared to lead up to the footy??
It’s part of a game plan of course it comes with instructions
They don’t even have space at times to lead into
Go see the space Hawkins gets at Geelong... that’s game plan related
Honestly mate stop reading useless stats and go watch a few games
I’m ok with the hug thanks but again lacking in originality...I mean really that old chestnut???

[Teflon]

Surely we have a runner?
If Max's instructions are to lead and he keeps standing still....
DRAG HIM!

Well according to some he’s clearly being told to lead up to forward 50 but refusing to do it ...maybe he doesn’t like running ??

[Moods]

Watch Ben play with the cream of Australia’s young midfield talent in front of him - leads out, arms out, hands out .. onto beautifully weighted passes.

Conversely, our absolute fvcking chopper midfielders and wingers bomb the ball onto our King’s head .. Or better still, kick it over his head straight to his opponent.

I hope this new player led review thing will acknowledge that and they go smash each other in the balls for their abject stupidity. All fvcking night.

Ar$ehats.

That’s a really good point
Ben King does get more on the lead
I reckon if we are not careful we’ll stuff Max Kings development
Asking him week in week out to go toe to toe with bigger bodied defenders while we kick it on his head is friggin dumb

That is a good point Saintmatt. But I also believe that Ben King is actually more aggressive at the contest than his brother. He may not be quite as talented but nothing can be made up for aggression. So he runs hard through the ball and takes the contact.

[SaintDippa]

From half back forward we have no ball movement system if the corridor is blocked. The mark, stop, lookup, wait, look around then either backwards or down the line.
Yep King gets two hands on it but will struggle until muscles up or umps start paying interference.
By the way. Why is it if a defender tries to take a speccie but misses the ball it is unrealistic and a free. A defender can in a 1:1 marking contest make contact with King, completely miss the footy (clearly a deliberate tactic- Gawn and May I'm talking to you) and it's play on. What's the difference?

[Devilhead]

King is completely clueless on how to use his body

Case in point was in the 2nd quarter where the ball was kicked across the front of the goal square to King at the back one out and behind a smaller opponent - all he had to do was use his body to push the smaller defender under the ball and extend his arms however in the end he was lucky to even get a hand on it cause he panicked and couldn't handle the smaller player backing into him

He is way better when he doesn't have time to think about unfortunately the long bombs give him too much time and the defender time as well

He needs another 15kg and needs to toughen up

I can’t believe this tripe
King doesn’t have a body - even Richardson said tonight he’s virtually Bambi FFS
He should be instructed to lead up into space and jump he is 200cm and when he jumps with that reach very few will go with him ffs it’s not about he can’t use his body now....he shouldn’t have to if the ball coming in was kicked out in some space for him to lead into
Aka when Sinclair kicked it fat side so Membrey could lead up on it
Honestly stats aren’t helping you

Not sure we saw King lead once tonight inside the forward 50 so if he is instructed to do it then he clearly isn't following instructions or he has no space to lead into.

Lead comes first ...... then the kick - the Membrey example you put forth is a good one

Another case in point was when Sinclair streamed out of the middle late in the 2nd quarter and not one forward led to him King included and there was ample space to lead up into - no lead so the Sinclair had no option but to put it on King and Marshalls head

I also very clearly said he needs to put on 15 kg because he is too light hence why he struggles with body contact which every forward in the history of the game has had to contend with ...... it's not all leads and roses and poppies cupcake - if King wants to be an all round gun forward then he needs to learn to use his body when caught under the ball - currently it is not a strength due to his lack of strength

So really my post was far from tripe but it sadly seems you can't but help let our previous interactions on other subjects effect your judgement and postings..... you coming across quite irrational

Anyway let it go Elsa ...... let it go ........
.

Sorry Elsa?
Anyhoo
I think the point your missing (again, you miss a few..) is our forwards get many goals 15-20 out so clearly they are being instructed to play closer to goal ....they’re not cows that herd together cause they enjoy each other’s smell..

Think you’ll find that’s why a young King isn’t leading up into the footy cause he’s not being instructed to and the kicker is being told get deep entries
All of which means the balk gets bombed into 50 on Kings head and he doesn’t have the body to play that
You keeping up ?
Now in later years I’d expect to see King play closer to goals and that’s ok not now
I don’t that’s irrational I just think your illogical and that makes it hard for you to stay on topic
But carry on with the cheap childish jibes....but do at least make them mildly amusing or creative as your last crop have been very pedestrian.

You seriously think the coaching group are instructing King not to lead - taking away his one strength?

And he coaching group are instructing our kickers to bomb it in on his head?

Tell me why would they instruct our team to do that knowing full well that King isn't body ready?

Membrey should be dropped for going against instructions when he led and marked - lucky he kicked it I guess .... shame he missed the others though

Hey if you want to hug ... let me know

Why do all our forwards play so close to goal ?
Do you think King is scared to lead up to the footy??
It’s part of a game plan of course it comes with instructions
They don’t even have space at times to lead into
Go see the space Hawkins gets at Geelong... that’s game plan related
Honestly mate stop reading useless stats and go watch a few games
I’m ok with the fling thanks but again lacking in originality...I mean really that old chestnut???

All our forwards close to goal?

Don't think I saw one small forward within 20m of a forward marking contest tonight

And I swear I have seen quite a few times this season King Membrey Battle and even Marshall lead into space and kick goals after marking on the lead

So unless it was a specific instruction tonight to not lead I would say your theory is a half truth

I am more likely to believe that either our players are struggling to find space to lead into or that (especially in Kings case) struggle to get that initial forward movement away from their opponent to formulate a lead in that he is either being held or blocked and he doesn't know how to combat this close checking attention

As for doing dropping marks to me it's a concentration mental thing cause we know Max can one grab - just seems if he receives any whiff of contact around arms shoulders or head he more often or not fluffs the attempt - hopefully he can clean this up once he gets stronger physically - mental strength will come with experience

[Teflon]

Ok

[The_President]

Imagine he took a third of the marks he dropped tonight

[Teflon]

Imagine he took a third of the marks he dropped tonight

I’d like that to be the case but what is exciting is you can see he gets right in the contest he’s in strong position a lot of the time... if he starts clunking them lookout

He just doesn’t have the body strength to hold his position and the ball ....right he’s like a whippet but he’ll be ok if we protect him from over expectations

[The_President]

Imagine he took a third of the marks he dropped tonight

I’d like that to be the case but what is exciting is you can see he gets right in the contest he’s in strong position a lot of the time... if he starts clunking them lookout

He just doesn’t have the body strength to hold his position and the ball ....right he’s like a whippet but he’ll be ok if we protect him from over expectations

I know it can be frustrating to watch. Tonight was probably the first time that it annoyed me. But I mean, I’m frustrated because a 20 year keeps dropping contested marks? Damn, that’s a shame.

He’s still top 15 for contested marks but would also be number 1 for dropped marks by a mile.

There’s going to be a game where they all just stick and he tears it apart.

Gonna be special.

[footynut]

Now I realise I said we show drop Max last night, but I may be we should play him up on the forward flank. Leading up the wings. He'd at least provide a target, might attract another opponent, leaving us a spare going forward.

Or bring Abbott in to play the same role a similar King

[seano1]

Milne would have a field day standing around King , so where were our small forwards

[Sainter_Dad]

Now I realise I said we show drop Max last night, but I may be we should play him up on the forward flank. Leading up the wings. He'd at least provide a target, might attract another opponent, leaving us a spare going forward.

Or bring Abbott in to play the same role a similar King

This

If King is having trouble at the pointy end of the ground - give him a paddock - we have all seen how he grabs them running at the ball - make him the link up player - he is good below the knees - have him play around the edge of the centre square and the 50 - play Battle et al as the deep forward.

Let him grab a few and get some confidence - let him grab a few and have some kicks that are not Earth Shattering if they drift a bit

Oh BTW - he is a first year player - imagine King in a Geelong side with Hawkins taking May last night.

I screams volumes that May was needed to play on King - a player who has had less than 20 games experience.

King will be a ripper - but I have a feeling he wont be playing finals this year

[st.byron]

What a load of garbage. The ball was delivered to him accurately on nearly every occasion. And he dropped them all. No chopping of arms or contact from defenders and they all went past his hands. If he drops absolute sitters how is that the fault of others. SERIOUSLY!

Yep. A lot of excuses being offered up for big Maxy. The bottom line is he’s dropping marks that he’s in position to hold. We want him to be a star, we need him to be a star. The reality is he’s a 200+cm kid. What he needs right now is to be made accountable for his performances of late and have a spell

He gets buffeted off the ball cause he’s just too skinny
FFS look at how ma y contests he’s getting himself into that position on
He ought to be leading up to the ball and jumping not wrestling plugger style for pack grabs and out delivery and coaching style should be helping that
The kid ought to be steak knives this year not our saviour
Right now it’s just about learning
Membrey who missed very gettable goals ought to have his arse kicked
I’d play King Membrey and Battle.....Battle leads up into space and commands the footy that’ll give King some space behind him

Yes it’s true he gets buffeted off the ball, but he does nevertheless have a problem holding marks he should take. The one Devilhead refers to in a previous post is a good example. Second quarter, Ryder kicks a long ball to Max in a very strong position to take the mark against an out of position and smaller defender. He’s 15 metres out from goal and you’d think a certain goal if he marks it. He gets both hands to it at the same time but the ball just goes straight through them. No spoil from a defender, no arms chopped, he just literally lets it slip through his hands. Opportunity missed. Demoralising for blokes working hard to get the ball in there.

I think our expectations of him are too high. Yes he is too green to be toeing it with gorilla defenders and yes there is a pattern of him dropping marks he gets a good bite of.

It seems we all have him pegged as a certain superstar. Time will tell, but at present he’s not playing with confidence.

[st.byron]

Now I realise I said we show drop Max last night, but I may be we should play him up on the forward flank. Leading up the wings. He'd at least provide a target, might attract another opponent, leaving us a spare going forward.

Or bring Abbott in to play the same role a similar King

This

If King is having trouble at the pointy end of the ground - give him a paddock - we have all seen how he grabs them running at the ball - make him the link up player - he is good below the knees - have him play around the edge of the centre square and the 50 - play Battle et al as the deep forward.

Let him grab a few and get some confidence - let him grab a few and have some kicks that are not Earth Shattering if they drift a bit

Oh BTW - he is a first year player - imagine King in a Geelong side with Hawkins taking May last night.

I screams volumes that May was needed to play on King - a player who has had less than 20 games experience.

King will be a ripper - but I have a feeling he wont be playing finals this year

I also like Battle up forward. He’s tough and a great mark for his size.

[saints66]

Why feel sorry for Max King ?
He has huge potential everyone can see that he has a great leap will be able to grab some amazing marks soon
If not have Butler at his feet to do his stuff .
Not ready yet but soon
A lot to like .
unfortunately for us we aren’t grand finals contenders just yet but definitely better than most people
Thought we would be. as Saints supporters we wait and wait in hope!
He will get better delivery and get stronger

[Teflon]

Now I realise I said we show drop Max last night, but I may be we should play him up on the forward flank. Leading up the wings. He'd at least provide a target, might attract another opponent, leaving us a spare going forward.

Or bring Abbott in to play the same role a similar King

This

If King is having trouble at the pointy end of the ground - give him a paddock - we have all seen how he grabs them running at the ball - make him the link up player - he is good below the knees - have him play around the edge of the centre square and the 50 - play Battle et al as the deep forward.

Let him grab a few and get some confidence - let him grab a few and have some kicks that are not Earth Shattering if they drift a bit

Oh BTW - he is a first year player - imagine King in a Geelong side with Hawkins taking May last night.

I screams volumes that May was needed to play on King - a player who has had less than 20 games experience.

King will be a ripper - but I have a feeling he wont be playing finals this year

Good post
His confidence needs a boost
He makes good decisions in traffic and is superb below his knees
If he had a paddock to run jump at his grabs I think we’d see that different player
Maybe as sides look to shut down our run out if defence King could do a roaming Riewoldt role further upfield to link us up?
Battle looks a forward to me - I don’t know his background was he as a junior?
He seems to have that lead up ability with strong hands I’d give him a crack

[fugazi]

I thought our small forwards were very ordinary today, where was the heat on Dees defenders? They seemed to have an eternity to ease the ball out time and again.

[Teflon]

I thought our small forwards were very ordinary today, where was the heat on Dees defenders? They seemed to have an eternity to ease the ball out time and again.

Agreed but so did Cats - why???
Cause we allowed easy intercept marks from bombing in
They could then chip it around on their way out
Harry Taylor should never be allowed to just jump in as 3rd man up!! He’s 102 years old....pressure him in to having defend into space don’t allow defenders to cluster to help each other out....spread them...look at the space a Kennedy or Hawkins gets ????
We are making it easy for the bsl to come from our defence
I agree wit you though our small forward pressure has also dropped off

[st.byron]

Now I realise I said we show drop Max last night, but I may be we should play him up on the forward flank. Leading up the wings. He'd at least provide a target, might attract another opponent, leaving us a spare going forward.

Or bring Abbott in to play the same role a similar King

This

If King is having trouble at the pointy end of the ground - give him a paddock - we have all seen how he grabs them running at the ball - make him the link up player - he is good below the knees - have him play around the edge of the centre square and the 50 - play Battle et al as the deep forward.

Let him grab a few and get some confidence - let him grab a few and have some kicks that are not Earth Shattering if they drift a bit

Oh BTW - he is a first year player - imagine King in a Geelong side with Hawkins taking May last night.

I screams volumes that May was needed to play on King - a player who has had less than 20 games experience.

King will be a ripper - but I have a feeling he wont be playing finals this year

Good post
His confidence needs a boost
He makes good decisions in traffic and is superb below his knees
If he had a paddock to run jump at his grabs I think we’d see that different player
Maybe as sides look to shut down our run out if defence King could do a roaming Riewoldt role further upfield to link us up?
Battle looks a forward to me - I don’t know his background was he as a junior?
He seems to have that lead up ability with strong hands I’d give him a crack

I read on here that he was AA Under 17 CHF. Can’t find any evidence on Google or Wiki to confirm.

[Sanctorum]

Max King has been spilling quite a lot of marks in recent games, and not only when under pressure from the backs. If this is due to lack of confidence, or a technical issue, then that should be addressed urgently.

During last night's game I felt that Brett Ratten should have reacted to the Dees strong defensive pressure and given Max regular spells both up the ground (dragging BOG Steven May with him) and in the ruck.

I hate to say it because I really rate BR, but last night I felt he didn't coach at all well. Given the team had 16 more inside 50s than the Dees there is no way St Kilda should have lost this crucial game. I thought he totally failed to mix things up to counter the pressure of Melbourne's defence, which was literally killing the team.

Let's hope that BR and the coaching panel review their own performance, as they do the players, with brutal honesty!

[saynta]

Max King has been spilling quite a lot of marks in recent games, and not only when under pressure from the backs. If this is due to lack of confidence, or a technical issue, then that should be addressed urgently.

During last night's game I felt that Brett Ratten should have reacted to the Dees strong defensive pressure and given Max regular spells both up the ground (dragging BOG Steven May with him) and in the ruck.

I hate to say it because I really rate BR, but last night I felt he didn't coach at all well. Given the team had 16 more inside 50s than the Dees there is no way St Kilda should have lost this crucial game. I thought he totally failed to mix things up to counter the pressure of Melbourne's defence, which was literally killing the team.

Let's hope that BR and the coaching panel review their own performance, as they do the players, with brutal honesty!

Yep and yep. Last night the best side lost.

[lefty]

Bradley Hill needs to kick the ball to a lead or at least to the advantage of a saints forward. With few minutes to go, he just bombed it to no one. He also fumbles a lot. I wish he fixed those two issues.