Max won't be thrown to the wolves

[saynta]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ ... d2de18b502

"St Kilda might have lost Josh Bruce during the trade period, but it has no intention of rushing his likely replacement Max King. Forwards coach Brendon Lade outlines how the Saints will get the best out of their rising star.
Jon Ralph, Herald Sun

St Kilda is adamant it can immediately find a way to replace Josh Bruce’s goal power after the bold decision to trade him to the Western Bulldogs.

And while forward coach Brendon Lade has raved about Max King’s speed and power he says the Saints must find a role which maximises his raw talents.

Stream the full or condensed replay of the 2019 Toyota AFL Grand Final on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >

Bruce was the collateral damage in the club’s trade period, the Saints happy for him to explore his options given it gave them cap space and an early pick to use at the trade table.

In 2019 he kicked 36 goals and took 43 contested marks, a reliable and unselfish target who continually brought the ball to ground if he didn’t mark the Sherrin.

Lade said St Kilda believed it had the arsenal to compete, with Paddy Ryder a new addition and ruckman Rowan Marshall more than capable of playing forward.

What the club won’t do is sacrifice 2018’s No. 4 draft pick King in a role that sees him battered by rival defenders, keen to get the athletically gifted star on the move.

“It’s going to be a tough one, losing all those goals and what (Bruce) can do for us, but we have brought Ryder in to help with that and while Dougal Howard will play defence he will spend some time in attack too,” Lade said.

“If we can get good contribution from Marshall and Ryder and bring the ball to ground, it should cover Brucey.

“Max King is training really well and hopefully he can add to the mix. The game is all about playing to your strengths so he is not going to be doing too much wrestling.

“It’s all about movement and him getting a run and jump at it. We need to get him in a position where he can do that. It he gets a run and jump at it with his arms at full stretch, there are not many guys who will get near him.”

King’s brother Ben finished his first year at Gold Coast with 11 goals in his last five games, with Max King a higher draft pick who could have gone No. 1 if not for an ACL tear.

Lade labelled his athleticism and speed “as good as any 200-plus centimetre guy I have seen”.

“The challenge is to get his body right and his legs strong and a good pre-season base behind him. He doesn’t get fazed by too much, he is a pretty relaxed and casual guy.

“For us there is not a lot of expectation on him, he just needs to slowly build for us.”


Josh Battle and Howard both add to St Kilda’s flexibility as swingmen, while Marshall and Ryder are comfortable in the ruck or forward.

“Ryder and Marshall will be match-up based. If we think Paddy has a better match-up we can leave him in the ruck or vice versa,” Lade said.

“Marshall’s first two years at St Kilda were as a forward but with Bruce and (Paddy) McCartin and Tim Membrey he didn’t get many looks, so for him and all the talls it’s not getting outmarked, getting their shots at goal and giving a good contest in the air. He will do that. He runs really well and he’s really combative.”

[barneyboyz]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ ... d2de18b502

"St Kilda might have lost Josh Bruce during the trade period, but it has no intention of rushing his likely replacement Max King. Forwards coach Brendon Lade outlines how the Saints will get the best out of their rising star.
Jon Ralph, Herald Sun

St Kilda is adamant it can immediately find a way to replace Josh Bruce’s goal power after the bold decision to trade him to the Western Bulldogs.

And while forward coach Brendon Lade has raved about Max King’s speed and power he says the Saints must find a role which maximises his raw talents.

Stream the full or condensed replay of the 2019 Toyota AFL Grand Final on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >

Bruce was the collateral damage in the club’s trade period, the Saints happy for him to explore his options given it gave them cap space and an early pick to use at the trade table.

In 2019 he kicked 36 goals and took 43 contested marks, a reliable and unselfish target who continually brought the ball to ground if he didn’t mark the Sherrin.

Lade said St Kilda believed it had the arsenal to compete, with Paddy Ryder a new addition and ruckman Rowan Marshall more than capable of playing forward.

What the club won’t do is sacrifice 2018’s No. 4 draft pick King in a role that sees him battered by rival defenders, keen to get the athletically gifted star on the move.

“It’s going to be a tough one, losing all those goals and what (Bruce) can do for us, but we have brought Ryder in to help with that and while Dougal Howard will play defence he will spend some time in attack too,” Lade said.

“If we can get good contribution from Marshall and Ryder and bring the ball to ground, it should cover Brucey.

“Max King is training really well and hopefully he can add to the mix. The game is all about playing to your strengths so he is not going to be doing too much wrestling.

“It’s all about movement and him getting a run and jump at it. We need to get him in a position where he can do that. It he gets a run and jump at it with his arms at full stretch, there are not many guys who will get near him.”

King’s brother Ben finished his first year at Gold Coast with 11 goals in his last five games, with Max King a higher draft pick who could have gone No. 1 if not for an ACL tear.

Lade labelled his athleticism and speed “as good as any 200-plus centimetre guy I have seen”.

“The challenge is to get his body right and his legs strong and a good pre-season base behind him. He doesn’t get fazed by too much, he is a pretty relaxed and casual guy.

“For us there is not a lot of expectation on him, he just needs to slowly build for us.”


Josh Battle and Howard both add to St Kilda’s flexibility as swingmen, while Marshall and Ryder are comfortable in the ruck or forward.

“Ryder and Marshall will be match-up based. If we think Paddy has a better match-up we can leave him in the ruck or vice versa,” Lade said.

“Marshall’s first two years at St Kilda were as a forward but with Bruce and (Paddy) McCartin and Tim Membrey he didn’t get many looks, so for him and all the talls it’s not getting outmarked, getting their shots at goal and giving a good contest in the air. He will do that. He runs really well and he’s really combative.”

A bigger, more mobile version of Rooey. Look out in a couple of seasons

[Secret Kiel]

No mention of Carlisle going forward but our other swingmen in Battle and Howard look like they will be the guys to share some time up forward based on those comments by Lade. Fortunately we have so many options for tall forwards we can wait for Roo M2 to develop but it could take a good few years for King to lock his name into the best 22 each week.

[DownAtTheJunction]

“For us there is not a lot of expectation on him, he just needs to slowly build for us.”

Josh Battle and Howard both add to St Kilda’s flexibility as swingmen, while Marshall and Ryder are comfortable in the ruck or forward.

“Ryder and Marshall will be match-up based. If we think Paddy has a better match-up we can leave him in the ruck or vice versa,” Lade said.

I think the commentary re Battle as a swingman (and playing potentially playing forward) is made by Ralph rather than Lade.
I, for one, remain hopeful that Battle is given plenty of opportunities at CHF - he looks a natural and they are seriously hard to come by.

[evertonfc]

Time to temper expectations.

Honestly, how many "gun" young KPP's have failed to hit the hype assigned to them: J Hogan, D Moore, J Daniher, T Boyd, P McCartin, J Schache, C McCarthey, J Patton. All have different reasons, but it shows just how hard it is for these guys to dominate the modern game.

Probably the only obvious boom forward drafted in the past 10 years to fulfill his "hype" has been Jeremy Cameron, followed by Tom Lynch and Ben Brown. It's unbelievably thin.

I'm very wary of putting too much into Max King. He won't be our saviour. What he might be is a major contributor to any success we might have in the next decade if everything goes right.

[B.M]

Brown, Howard, Carlisle, Battle

Can’t all play back.... Battle the obvious choice to play forward

Not even sure the other 3 can play together, with Wilkie and Roberton possibly in the team.

We only have one recognised proven key forward and he’s 6’2”

Same at Sandy

Marsh, Austin, Joyce, Clavarino all key defenders.

Mayo, a kid
The only recognised Key Forward, and hes a small key forward at 80kg

[saynta]

Time to temper expectations.

Honestly, how many "gun" young KPP's have failed to hit the hype assigned to them: J Hogan, D Moore, J Daniher, T Boyd, P McCartin, J Schache, C McCarthey, J Patton. All have different reasons, but it shows just how hard it is for these guys to dominate the modern game.

Probably the only obvious boom forward drafted in the past 10 years to fulfill his "hype" has been Jeremy Cameron, followed by Tom Lynch and Ben Brown. It's unbelievably thin.

I'm very wary of putting too much into Max King. He won't be our saviour. What he might be is a major contributor to any success we might have in the next decade if everything goes right.

Fair comment. A good post.

[The Fireman]

The wolves are waiting

[B.M]

Just means he won’t be played as a #1 or #2 key target deep or down the line as Bruce used to be... instead will be a running forward trying to get a mismatch.

[minneapolis]

The wolves are waiting

We'll take him. He can play the number 2 beside Karl-Anthony Towns.

[Secret Kiel]

The thing that worries me about King other than possibly being injury prone, is being injury prone and the coaches having to mould his game so as to limit him becoming frequently injured. Lade seems to allude to this in his comments. This concerns me that he will become a one-trick pony and his athleticism being his only weapon. It's yet to be seen how good his football skills are at the elite level but let's hope he doesn't get into a position where his training mostly focuses on speed and endurance to avoid a contest.

[CQ SAINT]

The thing that worries me about King other than possibly being injury prone, is being injury prone and the coaches having to mould his game so as to limit him becoming frequently injured. Lade seems to allude to this in his comments. This concerns me that he will become a one-trick pony and his athleticism being his only weapon. It's yet to be seen how good his football skills are at the elite level but let's hope he doesn't get into a position where his training mostly focuses on speed and endurance to avoid a contest.

Speed and endurance are prime factors in offensive contest. It's the delivery and game plan that dictates whether or not strength is as necessary.
He is a 19 year old, 200cm 91kg athlete with a knee reconstruction, hardly a shrinking violet in terms of power. Given time and proper development, like any young key forward, he will develop the strength to stand his ground with bulking defenders.
For now, and even before his injury, height, reach, speed and endurance wiare his main tools.

[Joffa Burns]

The thing that worries me about King other than possibly being injury prone, is being injury prone and the coaches having to mould his game so as to limit him becoming frequently injured. Lade seems to allude to this in his comments. This concerns me that he will become a one-trick pony and his athleticism being his only weapon. It's yet to be seen how good his football skills are at the elite level but let's hope he doesn't get into a position where his training mostly focuses on speed and endurance to avoid a contest.

You’re a negative little Nelly aren’t you!

Where does Lade seem to allude Max is Injury prone?

The comments state pretty clearly-
- 200+ cm athlete who is fast, jumps and can run
- use those talents
- he’s young so let’s not have him wrestle and battered
- use his natural gifts

Ladies comments:
What the club won’t do is sacrifice 2018’s No. 4 draft pick King in a role that sees him battered by rival defenders, keen to get the athletically gifted star on the move.

“Max King is training really well and hopefully he can add to the mix. The game is all about playing to your strengths so he is not going to be doing too much wrestling”

“It’s all about movement and him getting a run and jump at it. We need to get him in a position where he can do that. It he gets a run and jump at it with his arms at full stretch, there are not many guys who will get near him.”

Lade labelled his athleticism and speed “as good as any 200-plus centimetre guy I have seen”.

[Secret Kiel]

The thing that worries me about King other than possibly being injury prone, is being injury prone and the coaches having to mould his game so as to limit him becoming frequently injured. Lade seems to allude to this in his comments. This concerns me that he will become a one-trick pony and his athleticism being his only weapon. It's yet to be seen how good his football skills are at the elite level but let's hope he doesn't get into a position where his training mostly focuses on speed and endurance to avoid a contest.

Speed and endurance are prime factors in offensive contest. It's the delivery and game plan that dictates whether or not strength is as necessary.
He is a 19 year old, 200cm 91kg athlete with a knee reconstruction, hardly a shrinking violet in terms of power. Given time and proper development, like any young key forward, he will develop the strength to stand his ground with bulking defenders.
For now, and even before his injury, height, reach, speed and endurance wiare his main tools.

the key being time to develop, most likely 3-5 years if he is going to stand his ground with bulking defenders, it's why I won't be surprised if he isn't in the team in the first month or so of the season and then in and out of the team for the remainder of the season until he gets confidence in his body and can mix with the big boys at the elite level. Clearly the club are thinking along these lines also.

[Bowey Boy]

The new Paddy.

[CQ SAINT]

The thing that worries me about King other than possibly being injury prone, is being injury prone and the coaches having to mould his game so as to limit him becoming frequently injured. Lade seems to allude to this in his comments. This concerns me that he will become a one-trick pony and his athleticism being his only weapon. It's yet to be seen how good his football skills are at the elite level but let's hope he doesn't get into a position where his training mostly focuses on speed and endurance to avoid a contest.

Speed and endurance are prime factors in offensive contest. It's the delivery and game plan that dictates whether or not strength is as necessary.
He is a 19 year old, 200cm 91kg athlete with a knee reconstruction, hardly a shrinking violet in terms of power. Given time and proper development, like any young key forward, he will develop the strength to stand his ground with bulking defenders.
For now, and even before his injury, height, reach, speed and endurance wiare his main tools.

the key being time to develop, most likely 3-5 years if he is going to stand his ground with bulking defenders, it's why I won't be surprised if he isn't in the team in the first month or so of the season and then in and out of the team for the remainder of the season until he gets confidence in his body and can mix with the big boys at the elite level. Clearly the club are thinking along these lines also.

Given Lade's comments I'd assume a game plan that supports 2 bulking ruckman, each resting forward, a mobile, strong marking medium forward, (Membrey) and an agile, very tall, fast leading King, backed up occasionally by Howard and Battle, looks like the approach the club is taking.

The list looks to be versatile enough to actually play to a game plan rather than the kick it to me approach we have experienced recently.

[Secret Kiel]

Not sure 'resting' on an AFL field is part of any game plan in the modern era and probably why Paddy will play most games in his first year, firstly to allow RoMa to build up his enderance, and secondly to hold down minutes in the forward line to support King or to play his spot for the weeks when he's not in the team. Can't see us going with an automatic 2 man ruckman each week unless matchups dictate.

[saynta]

The thing that worries me about King other than possibly being injury prone, is being injury prone and the coaches having to mould his game so as to limit him becoming frequently injured. Lade seems to allude to this in his comments. This concerns me that he will become a one-trick pony and his athleticism being his only weapon. It's yet to be seen how good his football skills are at the elite level but let's hope he doesn't get into a position where his training mostly focuses on speed and endurance to avoid a contest.

Speed and endurance are prime factors in offensive contest. It's the delivery and game plan that dictates whether or not strength is as necessary.
He is a 19 year old, 200cm 91kg athlete with a knee reconstruction, hardly a shrinking violet in terms of power. Given time and proper development, like any young key forward, he will develop the strength to stand his ground with bulking defenders.
For now, and even before his injury, height, reach, speed and endurance wiare his main tools.

the key being time to develop, most likely 3-5 years if he is going to stand his ground with bulking defenders, it's why I won't be surprised if he isn't in the team in the first month or so of the season and then in and out of the team for the remainder of the season until he gets confidence in his body and can mix with the big boys at the elite level. Clearly the club are thinking along these lines also.

[CQ SAINT]

The thing that worries me about King other than possibly being injury prone, is being injury prone and the coaches having to mould his game so as to limit him becoming frequently injured. Lade seems to allude to this in his comments. This concerns me that he will become a one-trick pony and his athleticism being his only weapon. It's yet to be seen how good his football skills are at the elite level but let's hope he doesn't get into a position where his training mostly focuses on speed and endurance to avoid a contest.

Speed and endurance are prime factors in offensive contest. It's the delivery and game plan that dictates whether or not strength is as necessary.
He is a 19 year old, 200cm 91kg athlete with a knee reconstruction, hardly a shrinking violet in terms of power. Given time and proper development, like any young key forward, he will develop the strength to stand his ground with bulking defenders.
For now, and even before his injury, height, reach, speed and endurance wiare his main tools.

the key being time to develop, most likely 3-5 years if he is going to stand his ground with bulking defenders, it's why I won't be surprised if he isn't in the team in the first month or so of the season and then in and out of the team for the remainder of the season until he gets confidence in his body and can mix with the big boys at the elite level. Clearly the club are thinking along these lines also.

I'm hoping the opposition are stupid enough to put a bulking defender on him. Even better would be a loose intercept marker but I'm pretty sure they will be deep standing in front or of to the side of Ryder or Marshall. It's going to have to be a running, spoiling defender who plays on King. Membrey is going to enjoy Kings development year.
3-5 years development in the first month would be good but it's not going to happen this way. Think Hamill, Gehrig and Riewoldt. We are not talking about a Lockett/McCartin type we are talking about King, a Riewoldt/Cameron type.
I will concede the first month in the VFL is a fair proposition for King but the game plan will ultimately dictate that the ball will be delivered forward through the 45 to 55 meter hot zone where you will find Membrey and King/Battle/Howard leading to with Billings, Hill, Sinclair, Gresham and the likes lurking ready to recieve, push forward and score. There was a glimpse of it against the bulldogs last time.

2 ruckmen and a 3 prong attack is actually a very sound strategy if you have mids who can score or deliver the ball neatly to leading forwards who can mark and kick straight.