It was the back half of the 2011 season and pundits were pondering whether Special-K would be able to legitimately claim a place in the Gold Coast Suns’ team as a footballer, rather than as a marketing exercise.
Fast-forward a year. Those same questions are being asked of The Promised Land after a less-than stellar first season at the elite level, but no-one is any longer credibly suggesting that Special-K isn’t a bona fide AFL footballer after his second season.
AussieRulesBlog isn’t suggesting that The Land has to follow K’s trajectory, but it’s not at all far-fetched, in our opinion, to suppose that a proven elite sportsperson gains confidence through a first full season that finds expression through a second pre-season.
A year ago, the pundits were trying to figure out where the Suns could hide K in their backline. Somewhere where his lack of footy smarts wouldn’t be exposed on the scoreboard. This year he has announced himself as a genuine midfielder.
We’re really pleased that The Land has committed himself to seeing out his contract with the Giants. A great deal can happen in two years and another pre-season may just see him find his niche and begin to earn his place in the team beside his teammates. You can bet your life that it irks his professional pride that he’s getting games he thinks he doesn’t deserve. We’re betting on him making it.
What’s more, K’s signing a new deal with the Suns and his comments in interviews suggests he’s enjoying the freedom and creativity of AFL much more than the rather humdrum world of NRL. When The Land impacts a couple of games and gets some confidence, he could be doing just the same.
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