AFL player and former player under police investigation
UPDATE: DAMIEN Hardwick says he’s saddened by the fact two of his former players are at the centre of an extortion probe following the arrest of Jake King and Tyrone Vickery.
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RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has defended the character of two of his former players at the centre of an extortion investigation.
Hawthorn’s Tyrone Vickery and controversial former Richmond forward Jake King are at the centre of a police inquiry.
The Herald Sun understands police are probing whether Vickery hired King to stand over a third party he was in dispute with over a six-figure sum.
The former Tigers teammates were arrested on Wednesday afternoon. King was later charged with six offences, including extortion and making threats to kill and inflict serious injury.
Vickery was released shortly before 7pm on Wednesday, without charge, pending further investigation.
Hardwick coached both players when they were with the Tigers and said today, the situation was sad.
“Absolutely (it is). Those two guys have fought their backsides off for me and, from what I know of them and their character, it’s certainly out of character for those guys,” Hardwick told reporters.
Hardwick says he still stays in touch with Vickery and King occasionally.
“Across the year, me and Kingy keep in touch every now and then. And Ty, send a text wish him the best and happy birthday, those sorts of things,” he said.
“But that’s different to what’s happening now. Unfortunately, I can’t comment on what I don’t know much about.”
The Herald Sun understands the inquiry will focus on missing money relating to a restaurant connected to Vickery.
King may yet face more charges. He was freed on police bail and is due to face court on November 15.
A witness told the Herald Sun that King, 33, had been taken away in handcuffs by police who raided his tattoo parlour, City of Ink, in Clarendon St, South Melbourne, about 1pm.
King arrived at his tattoo parlour just after 12pm today.
Wearing a black cap and shirt branded in the City of Ink logo, King entered through the front door of the shop.
He could be seen talking on the phone at the front reception desk and shaking hands with colleagues at the studio.
When approached by the Herald Sun, King immediately demanded the reporter leave the shop.
“Get out, get out right now,” King said aggressively and pointed at the door.
Police executed warrants at Thornbury and Wheelers Hill, arresting both men.
Hawthorn said: “Hawthorn Football Club is aware that Ty Vickery is assisting police in an investigation. As the matter is under investigation the club will not be making further comment at this time.”
Vickery, 27, who joined the Hawks as a free agent last October after eight years at Richmond, is the director of a company that owns hospitality businesses, and lists its registered office as Fat Monkey, a restaurant in Tooronga Village, Glen Iris.
The AFL refused to comment when contacted by the Herald Sun but confirmed the league had been made aware of the investigation on Wednesday afternoon.
Police would not identify the arrested men, but confirmed two men, from Thornbury and Wheelers Hill, were in the custody of Melbourne Criminal Investigation Unit and helping it with inquiries.
“A 33-year-old man from Thornbury and a 27-year-old from Wheelers Hill have been arrested and are assisting police with their inquiries,’’ a police spokeswoman said.
King, who bought into City of Ink with currently jailed underworld figure and friend Toby Mitchell several years ago, has been a controversial figure because of his association with the former Bandido bikie and other gangsters.
Ruck forward Vickery, 27, was selected by Richmond with pick No. 8 in the 2008 national draft.
He kicked 158 goals in 119 games for the Tigers before joining Hawthorn in the 2016 trade period.
Vickery has struggled in his first season with the Hawks, booting just two goals in six matches and twice being dropped to the VFL.
His Russian-born wife, Arina Rodionova, was the only Australian to win her first-round match at Wimbledon this year.
She downed Russian No. 16 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets on Tuesday.
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Rodionova brushed off queries about her husband overnight, speaking after a first-round doubles defeat alongside her sister Anastasia at Wimbledon.
“Just before we start, I’d just like to say all the questions please (refer) only regarding tennis, my previous match, my current match and I cannot speak about my personal life,” she said.
Rodionova said she “didn’t have to put anything aside” before the defeat to Andreja Klepac and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.
“I was just focusing on my match,” she said.
“I had a great day yesterday, obviously (a) worse day today and tomorrow’s another day.”
King was forced to retire midway through the 2014 season with a serious toe injury.
After making his AFL debut in 2007 at the age of 23, King went on to play 107 matches for the Tigers as a tough-tackling small forward.
The investigation into King and Vickery is continuing.
-with AAP
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