7th Tackle: The NRL's King of resilience

On his first birthday, Cameron King received a football. He slept with it that night, and then every night for many years thereafter.

He learned to drop kick at 18 months of age and within no time was both the mascot and ball boy for his local club, Moruya Sharks.

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At school he told teachers he wanted to be a “big football man”. Sadly, fate has denied him the opportunity to grow into his potential.

A torn shoulder, torn pectoral, two ACL tears, a broken thumb and second tier salary cap restraints have reduced the former Australian Schoolboys star to just 22 first grade appearances in seven seasons.

“His persistence comes from being so successful, so young,” his mum Amanda told us.

“He made all the junior sides at a younger age than others and was captain. He was signed by the Dragons to a four year deal when he was just 14. He doesn’t want to be remembered as a player who never lived up to his potential.”

Now 25 and off contract, King finally gets his chance – ironically enough thanks to a season ending injury to Eels hooker Kaysa Pritchard.

Tonight’s clash against the Bulldogs will be his first NRL game in 733 days.

“I said to him, ‘Maybe, just maybe, this is your time,” Amanda said.

“There were dark times, people don’t understand the isolation. But he never really had a Plan B. His got a Diploma of Business, but he probably won’t use it. He still wants to be the ‘Big Football Man’.”

Fittingly, King has been inspired to continue by one of his best mates – former Dragon Kyle Stanley, who was forced into retirement after six knee reconstructions.

“Cameron was his best man, and Godfather to his child,” Amanda said. “They talk a lot.”