Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/storm-in-frame-as-king-eyes-exit/2008/05/31/1211654373632.html
MATT KING is believed to be trying to break his multimillion-dollar deal with English Super League club Warrington to return to Australia.
The big winger stunned the NRL last season when he turned his back on premiers Melbourne, the NSW Origin side and Australian team to play in England on a four-year deal estimated to be worth $3 million. He joined former NRL players Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Chris Hicks and Paul Rauhihi at the Wolves, but he's struggled to produce his best form.
A Sun-Herald source in the UK said that despite a public assurance from King that he's committed to Warrington, it's widely accepted he wants to return home - and Melbourne Storm are in the frame. "We're starting to hear his girlfriend isn't adjusting to the lifestyle here," the source said. "It's a concern because that is the kind of thing we've heard from other Aussies such as Trent Barrett and Danny Nutley ... Barrett's wife is homesick; Nutley's wife and kids had trouble adjusting to life here. It is a familiar tune."
In mid-May the 27-year-old admitted to the British media to being "embarrassed" by some of his early-season efforts. In comments that could concern the next batch of Australians to hit England, including the top-flight Danny Buderus (Leeds), Michael Crocker (Hull) and Brett Hodgson (Huddersfield), King said he had underestimated how challenging a move to Super League would be.
"There have been times when I've walked off the field with my head in my hands because I've played at a standard I'm very embarrassed with," he told the English media. "I think I thought I'd come over here and it would be like it has been for the last 4 years in Melbourne. I suppose I was comfortable. I knew what I had to do with the footy team, I knew what I had to do with the coaches to keep them happy and I knew what my obligations were with the club. But it's been a whole new way of life for me over here. Without sounding like a big girl, I didn't anticipate how tough the move was."
King rejected claims he was poised to break his contract, saying it would go against his nature. However, that was said before he suffered a bad head knock after a high tackle by Wigan's fullback Richie Mathers. King would be the subject of a massive bidding war if he did sever ties with Warrington. While it's believed there has been dialogue between Melbourne and King, other clubs would kill to sign a player of his calibre.
Castleford's football manager, Australian Michael Robinson - while not in a position to comment on King's situation - said even the promise of massive amounts of money did not make the transition to Super League easy. "England isn't all roses for everyone ... some blokes find it very hard not to have the sun on their back for 10 months a year," he said. "There is an argument that Kiwi players acclimatise a lot easier to Super League -the weather in Auckland is similar to here. In many cases it is easier for a young single player to handle the switch than a player who comes over with a partner. The player walks into a ready-made family of 40 blokes, his partner doesn't have it so easy."
MATT KING is believed to be trying to break his multimillion-dollar deal with English Super League club Warrington to return to Australia.
The big winger stunned the NRL last season when he turned his back on premiers Melbourne, the NSW Origin side and Australian team to play in England on a four-year deal estimated to be worth $3 million. He joined former NRL players Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Chris Hicks and Paul Rauhihi at the Wolves, but he's struggled to produce his best form.
A Sun-Herald source in the UK said that despite a public assurance from King that he's committed to Warrington, it's widely accepted he wants to return home - and Melbourne Storm are in the frame. "We're starting to hear his girlfriend isn't adjusting to the lifestyle here," the source said. "It's a concern because that is the kind of thing we've heard from other Aussies such as Trent Barrett and Danny Nutley ... Barrett's wife is homesick; Nutley's wife and kids had trouble adjusting to life here. It is a familiar tune."
In mid-May the 27-year-old admitted to the British media to being "embarrassed" by some of his early-season efforts. In comments that could concern the next batch of Australians to hit England, including the top-flight Danny Buderus (Leeds), Michael Crocker (Hull) and Brett Hodgson (Huddersfield), King said he had underestimated how challenging a move to Super League would be.
"There have been times when I've walked off the field with my head in my hands because I've played at a standard I'm very embarrassed with," he told the English media. "I think I thought I'd come over here and it would be like it has been for the last 4 years in Melbourne. I suppose I was comfortable. I knew what I had to do with the footy team, I knew what I had to do with the coaches to keep them happy and I knew what my obligations were with the club. But it's been a whole new way of life for me over here. Without sounding like a big girl, I didn't anticipate how tough the move was."
King rejected claims he was poised to break his contract, saying it would go against his nature. However, that was said before he suffered a bad head knock after a high tackle by Wigan's fullback Richie Mathers. King would be the subject of a massive bidding war if he did sever ties with Warrington. While it's believed there has been dialogue between Melbourne and King, other clubs would kill to sign a player of his calibre.
Castleford's football manager, Australian Michael Robinson - while not in a position to comment on King's situation - said even the promise of massive amounts of money did not make the transition to Super League easy. "England isn't all roses for everyone ... some blokes find it very hard not to have the sun on their back for 10 months a year," he said. "There is an argument that Kiwi players acclimatise a lot easier to Super League -the weather in Auckland is similar to here. In many cases it is easier for a young single player to handle the switch than a player who comes over with a partner. The player walks into a ready-made family of 40 blokes, his partner doesn't have it so easy."
