At a glance:

  • Four-time Premiership Hawk Jarryd Roughead has encouraged fans to be patient as young forward Max King looks to find his feet in the AFL.
  • King has been training as the number one key forward and has been showing promising signs.
  • The 19-year-old booted four goals in the club's scratch match, before a quieter one-goal outing against Hawthorn last week.

Jarryd Roughead has encouraged fans to be patient as young forward Max King looks to find his feet in the AFL. 

The key forward’s four-goal haul in the club’s scratch match grabbed the faithful by the scruff of the neck, before a quieter – but just as exciting – performance in his first competitive hit-out against Hawthorn last Thursday. 

But Roughead has said the only limit to King’s success in 2020 is how often he can get out in the famous tri-colours. 

READ: Livewire Lonie on show against the Hawks

Max King soars for the Sherrin. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

“I think it’s just about how many times we can get him out there,” Roughead told SEN. 

He’s a 19-year-old key forward and there are going to be some high expectations on him.

- Jarryd Roughead

“We’ve got to be patient and understand that key forwards do take a little bit of time, but from what I’ve seen already from the three months I’ve been there, it’s been pretty promising.” 

The four-time Premiership Hawk has been working closely alongside King this pre-season, adding to his arsenal and refining his forward craft. 

The pick No. 4 from the 2018 National Draft found himself on the cusp of a senior debut last season, before an untimely syndesmosis injury soured his chances of donning the red, white and black. 

Now in the midst of his first full pre-season, a fresh King is starting to hit his straps and get valuable match-time. 

“He’s been training as the number one key forward and he’s been doing good things,” Roughead said. 

“We also know it’s a long year and can’t expect that this kid’s going to be a 70, 80-goal key forward just yet.” 

Max King fires at goal against the Hawks.

King won’t be playing a lone hand up forward in 2020. 

Ever-reliable forward Tim Membrey will continue to be the Saints’ focal point going forward, and proved his dominance with four goals, 24 disposals and 12 marks last Thursday against Hawthorn. 

READ: A bit of Membrey magic at Moorabbin

Rowan Marshall and new inclusions Paddy Ryder and Dougal Howard are also more than capable of lending a helping hand in attack. 

Although Howard has spent all pre-season training as a defender, the swingman’s versatility makes him a possible attacking option. 

“The luxury is he can flip both ends,” Roughead said. 

“I dare say we’ll see him as a defender to start off, but if we need a pinch-hit in the forward line, I’m sure he can go there as well. 

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“You’ve also got the luxury of having Paddy who can kick goals and support Max, but also Rowan who can add another string to his bow by playing forward as well.” 

The Saints and Hawks will meet at Morwell Recreation Reserve on Friday 28 February at 4:30pm to raise funds for and help support local emergency services workers following the recent bushfire crisis in the Gippsland area.