Ben King has been one of the Queanbeyan Tigers best players this season. Photo: Andrew Johnston
FOR a bloke signed to the Queanbeyan Tigers based on ‘‘pot luck’’, rover Ben King has certainly made an impression at Dairy Farmers Park this season.
The 20-year-old has been one of the Tigers’ best since joining the club from Wahgunyah during Queanbeyan’s aggressive preseason recruitment drive.
After being nominated for the NEAFL round 9 Rising Star award, King was further rewarded for his strong form this year with a recent call up to the NSW/ACT under-21s side.
King signed with Queanbeyan in January after only coming to the club’s attention when player/coach Kade Klemke moved to recruit Wahgunyah ruckman Nathan Kerlin.
While Kerlin has since spent time in and out of first grade, King has cemented his position in Queanbeyan’s NEAFL side.
‘‘I don’t think my form has been too bad, I’m just happy getting a game to be honest,’’ King said.
‘‘At the start of the year I was aiming to play half a season [in the NEAFL side] and I’ve already done that so hopefully I can just keep it going.
‘It’s been a big step up for me from where I’ve played before. It’s definitely the quickest footy I’ve played and the most professional as well.’’
Originally from the Corowa Rutherglen Football Club, King has impressed with his work at the contest this season, a strength he credits to his bush footy background.
‘‘Where I was playing before there was a lot more contested footy so I suppose that’s the style I grew up with,’’ King said.
"Contesting the footy on the ground and just tackling and applying pressure are probably my strengths.’’
‘‘Being a bit smaller as well, it makes me go harder at the ball. A lot of people say height matters but I don’t think it does.’
