Nick Riewoldt warns St Kilda fans to temper expectations on prized youngster Max King, footy news from March 3, 2020
He is St Kilda's great white hope. Prized youngster Max King has attracted plenty of buzz before playing a game, but the man who wore the coveted No.12 before him has issued a warning to the Saints faithful.
St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt says prodigy Max King should embrace the hype.
But Riewoldt has warned Saints fans against heaping pressure on their prized draft pick.
“He hasn’t played a senior game yet, but we’re all really excited about the raw athleticism that we see on display,” Riewoldt said.
“There’s no denying that he’s an exciting talent and we all hope that he goes really well and gets some continuity.
“As a young player who plays a similar position, albeit about three inches shorter, I think we just need to temper those expectations a little bit.
“You want to be able to play every week and stay out on the park and contribute and play your role. Internally I think that would be the expectation for him.”
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Having been sidelined with knee and ankle injuries in his first year, King is expected to debut in Round 1 against North Melbourne on March 22.
Riewoldt encouraged St Kilda to keep him in the senior side.
“It builds resilience to play those players every week. You develop a lot by doing that, and that can carry you throughout your entire career … I’m confident he’ll be fine,” Riewoldt said
at Tuesday’s launch of Maddie’s Match and Ride for Maddie to raise money to fight bone marrow failure.
“I think my advice would be almost not to shy away from it [the expectations]. Use the expectations to drive you, to drive you in your preparation, and your commitment to get the best out of yourself every day.
“From the conversations I’ve had with Max and from what I’ve witnessed, he is a really driven individual so I think he’s going to be able to handle those expectations.”
“He’s in a great spot to be able to perform.”
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Stand-in Saints captain Tim Membrey said if King became a target for opposition players, then they would have his back.
“If they [opposition] do decide to go for Max, then good luck to them,” Membrey said.
“ He’s a pretty big boy and he can hold his own, but I’m sure everyone will be looking out for him.”
Originally published as Nick Riewoldt warns St Kilda fans to temper expectations on prized youngster Max King, footy news from March 3, 2020