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The Cast Patrol
Max King Podcast: Bulldogs Rebuild Success, Bellamy’s Brutal Army Camps & Continuing the King Legacy
Ep. 142
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This week, we sit down with Bulldogs middle Max King, a key figure in their forward pack who embodies the blue and white spirit. Max shares his journey from the Gold Coast Titans, where he made his unlikely NRL debut, to playing under the legendary Craig Bellamy and alongside future immortal Cameron Smith at the Melbourne Storm.
Max opens up about being handed a lifeline by the Bulldogs and witnessing the team’s remarkable rebuild under the guidance of Phil Gould and mastermind coach Cameron Ciraldo. From bottom of the table to finals footy, Max takes us behind the scenes of how the Bulldogs transformed themselves into serious contenders and the team’s goals for 2025.
To wrap up the episode, Max gives us an inside scoop on the Bulldogs locker room with a fun game, revealing which teammate is the coach’s pet and his dream signing at the Bulldogs for next season.
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00:00 Intro
03:29 Early Life
05:38 Junior Footy Journey
07:46 Moving to the Gold Coast
09:15 Titans U20s Player of the Year (2016)
10:52 Balancing Footy & Work as a Sparky
12:44 Carrying the King Legacy: 4th Gen Rugby League Player
15:45 NRL Debut with the Titans
20:22 Titans Rookie of the Year
23:43 Mid-Season Move to Melbourne Storm
27:25 Lessons from Craig Bellamy
29:54 Playing Alongside Cameron Smith
32:22 Surviving the Storm Army Camp
37:38 The 2020 NRL Season
39:50 Season-Long Injury in 2021
43:40 Joining the Bulldogs in 2022
47:10 Bulldogs’ Incredible Turnaround
53:29 The Cast Patrol Effect: Max King’s First Try in 2025?
55:57 Re-signing with the Bulldogs
57:56 Setting Goals for 2025
1:02:40 Pre-Season Training for 2025
1:05:40 Bulldogs Locker Room: The Whiteboard Game
1:11:20 Go-To Maccas Order
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