‘That’s a poster moment’: Max King finally gets the recognition he deserves after ridiculous try-saving tackle has Belmore rocking

There are plenty of special moments plastered around the walls of Belmore, and the Bulldogs are about to make a new poster thanks to a special play from Max King.

Bulldogs prop Max King has seen a lot of famous moments on posters at the club’s training facilities in Belmore, and he’s about to get his own picture on the wall after an incredible try-saving tackle that his coach wants to “celebrate in our four walls”.

On a stinking hot day in Sydney, King watched on as his teammates scored for fun to open up a commanding 22-0 lead against the Titans.

Having already run for 88m, King then came up with a tackle on AJ Brimson that few people could have produced, with the Titans five-eighth looking certain to score before the exhausted prop held him up and forced an error.

Max King produced one of the great try-saving tackles to deny AJ Brimson a certain try. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

“I said at the time to the analyst next to me ‘that’s a poster moment and something we want to celebrate in our four walls’, a moment like that where a front-rower under fatigue saves a try like that is what we want to build our team on,” Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said.

“I don’t think Max King gets the raps he deserves. Over the past two years, he’s been our most consistent forward.

“The way that he’s started this season, I think he’s gone to another level.”

The Bulldogs pack’s size has been questioned over the years, but King has consistently punched above his weight while avoiding the spotlight.

But after his exceptional solo tackle, he couldn’t hide from the praise any longer.

“That’s good to hear because there are a couple of posters in here and I’m not on one,” he replied after hearing Ciraldo’s comments.

“I’m not known for my try-scoring ability, so I can accept why I’m not much of a poster boy.

“It was funny because I got a poke in the eye while I was making the tackle, so I was trying to hold him up but I couldn’t see if he scored.

“Everyone was celebrating but I was blowing hard, so I just wanted a bit of space so I could get my air back.

“The club loves to pride themselves on moments like that, so when you reward it, it encourages those actions. It’s cool to be rewarded with comments like that.”

Cameron Ciraldo is glad that King is finally getting the credit he deserves. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Teammate Toby Sexton made sure every Bulldogs player rallied to the middle forward to acknowledge his huge defensive play.

“I just wanted to celebrate it,” the halfback said.

“I remember it was a huge moment that ‘Maxy’ came up with, so I wanted all the boys to celebrate what he just did.

“It was a massive point in the game, and it doesn’t surprise anyone that he’s coming up with plays like that because he’s doing it week in, week out.”

King and fellow prop Josh Curran left the field after that play for a hard-earnt rest, with the Belmore faithful cheering louder than ever that prompted the usually reserved King to beat his chest and roar back in appreciation.

“Bulldogs fans are so passionate, and Belmore is our heartland, but I don’t think they were just celebrating that one moment,” he said

“We were 22-0 up and I was walking off with Josh Curran who I think they were clapping (after he scored a try).

“But I just relished the moment so I clapped back, they got louder and everyone was cheering, so I was getting fired up.

“They’ve been so good to us so it was such a cool moment to engage with the fans and celebrate with them.”

Originally published as ‘That’s a poster moment’: Max King finally gets the recognition he deserves after ridiculous try-saving tackle has Belmore rocking