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“Awesome” is the word Blues debutant Max King used – 10 times no less – to describe his first foray in the State of Origin arena.
King came off the bench during the Blues’ demolition of the Queensland Maroons in Game One at Suncorp Stadium, in a performance coach Laurie Daley described as “terrific” from a “good bloke”.
He made 12 runs for 106 metres, nine hit-ups, two tackle breaks and 21 tackles during his 39 minutes on the field.
“That was awesome,” King said, adding it was special to have his mum, dad, wife Christy and young son Hercules, brother and best mate cheering him on.
“The whole week was awesome. The advice I got leading in the camp was ‘don't think about the game, just enjoy every day a camp’ and I've done that.
“It felt like a long day… I was super nervous, didn't really eat much… I got to the ground, I was starving… but got to the game and I felt comfortable… it was awesome.
“It was just awesome, looking around and being a part of something with such great players in the game, playing alongside of them… the whole experience has just been awesome.”
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Blues: Game 1
Deeply religious King has endured a career marred by time on the sidelines through injury, but since making his comeback with the Bulldogs in Round 1 of 2022, he has played 76 NRL matches and gone front strength to strength in the front row.
Backing himself and having faith at times when he thought he may never play again, meant running out wearing a Blues jersey was something he was very proud of.
“Someone said ‘make sure you get up the front when you run out’, so I made sure I was up the front so I could hear all the ‘boos’ and it was so cool,” King said.
“Being out there first, getting to hear everyone cheer for Queensland, it was so loud, so cool.
“Moments like that, you don't get back.
“The day you retire, you’re never going to experience that again, so it was super cool… so awesome.
“That’s really something that I feel like I’ve integrated into my career… less stressing, more just enjoying it at the moment.
“If this was going to be my last Origin then so be it, just enjoy it. I just feel so blessed. God is good.”
King said when it came time for him to join the game, all he was thinking was “don’t drop the ball”.
“That was my biggest thing… I reckon I sprayed half a can of grip spray on my hands and I was like ‘do not drop this thing’…. that was my number one priority,” he said.
“At the end of the day, it's a sport that we've been playing all year…. obviously, I was super nervous, but it's nothing that it's too far ahead and I felt comfortable.”
King did more than just catch the ball; teammate and player of the match Payne Haas said “he killed it”.
“We knew Maxy was going to kill it… what he brings to a team, what he does for the Bulldogs week-in, week-out… he did his job and he killed it with Spencer (Leniu) off the bench,” Haas said.
Now, King is focused on getting back to the Bulldogs and putting in performances that will put him in the frame for Game Two in Perth.
“I didn't feel like it was super out of my comfort zone… it was awesome to be a part of it,” King said.
“It makes me super motivated to go back to club land and do well and hopefully be in the mix for that Game Two side.
“I'm passionate about going back to the club land because that's the reason I'm here, is what we've been doing at the club.
“I've been loving what we're doing at the Dogs.
“I'm just super passionate to go back and build on what we've started off in the season… and I'd love to be back here.
“I think the biggest thing in the season has not been looking too far down the road, just focusing on where we're at, and now that’s versing Parramatta in our next game… prepping, playing well.
“Hopefully I can be somewhere in the mix for Game Two and wrap up the series.”
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All Tries – Maroons v Blues
King said it would take a mammoth effort to beat the Maroons in Perth and clinch the series.
“Obviously they’re going to be fired up,” King said.
“They're a great side. I think it's just more about us playing well.
“We know they're going to turn up with a red-hot side and with a bit of vengeance as well… shaking their hands after the game they were really disappointed, you could feel.
“I think they’ll be bouncing back strong, so I think it’s just about us just going out in the wind and playing strong in our game.”
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
