LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
New South Wales prop Max King recently made his debut in the State of Origin series and remains incredulous about his achievement.
Reflecting on his experience, he shared, "Coming into camp the big thing for me is the gratitude of being here.
The first one I'd go back to my room every day and think, 'Wow, I can't believe I'm here.' I'd look at my training gear and couldn't believe I was wearing a Blues shirt." King emphasizes his desire to maintain this sense of gratitude, stating, "I don't want to lose that.
I don't want this to be normal.
I want [at] every game to be able to reflect and think how cool it is that I'm selected."
Following a successful debut where he ran over 100 meters and made 21 tackles without a miss in a win for the Blues, King has been recalled for Game II and is now set to start due to an injury to Mitch Barnett.
He acknowledges the responsibilities that come with his selection, quoting Laurie Daley: "Just because you're selected doesn't mean you're an Origin player.
What you do with that selection defines whether you're an Origin player."
King's current trajectory is promising, and it will be interesting to see how his career develops from here.