King of England? Bulldogs prop Max eyes Ashes berth
George Clarke |
Max King would love the chance to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and play in this year’s Ashes series.
But who for?
The Canterbury prop is yet to decide, with his form and a player drain to the Pacific nations putting the Huddersfield-born forward in the conversation to represent either the Kangaroos and England.
The ex-Melbourne forward has been one of the key cornerstones of Canterbury’s revival under Cameron Ciraldo heading into Good Friday’s clash against South Sydney with a 5-0 record.
King has yet to win representative honours but with Kangaroos regulars Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui set to represent Samoa at the end of this season, his chances of donning the green and gold later this year have increased.
But the 27-year-old says he remains open to accepting an England call-up.
King’s mother is from Dewsbury and the prop was born in Yorkshire while his father Dave was finishing his career in the Super League with Huddersfield.
“My mum’s side of the family would love that,” King told AAP.
“I always say I’m half English and half Aussie… I’d love to be able to get a call off anyone.
“The phone is always on and I’m always available to any caller.”
A call-up for Australia would mean King gets the chance to follow the trail blazed by his paternal grandfather Johnny King, who won 15 caps for the Kangaroos and played in three Ashes series.
“I didn’t think about it like that and it is so cool to share that family history but it would also be cool to pave my own path,” King said.
King arrived at Belmore in 2022 and having been through some of the club’s darkest days is loving the fact the ladder-leading Dogs have hit top gear under Ciraldo.
The former Gold Coast prop says he is only being spoken of as a representative player due to the club’s good results under Ciraldo.
“These things come from team success with everyone else performing,” King said.
“It puts your name in those (selection) pictures.
“That’s one thing that I’m thankful for is the way this club is going and the way my teammates are playing.
“It brings other names into selection (debates), Jacob Preston is doing a great job and I hope he gets a call (for the NSW State of Origin side).”
AAP
