Of the last 11 matches of 2017, young prop Josh King started ten.
And in the final six matches of the season King enjoyed the best form of his fledgling career, averaging 103 metres and 23 tackles per game.
With some forwards joining the Club ahead of 2018, King is ramping up his pre-season efforts as he looks to retain a spot in the starting line up.
“That is the ultimate goal for me,” the 21-year-old told Knights TV.
“I'm not a certain starter for NRL each week so I’ve just got to work hard, try and find my place in the first grade side and hopefully I’ll be able to do that.”
King will be up against newcomers Jacob Lillyman, Herman Ese’ese and Chris Heighington, as well as the talented Saifiti brothers.
“Every year new people coming in makes it a bit harder... but that is the best bit about it,” explained King.
“We're challenging each other and making each other work hard for the spot, so it should be good to see how 2018 goes now that we have a few more experienced players.
“There are a lot of new faces and a lot of new talent at the Club, but I think I just have to go back to my own game and worry about that.”
And the Knights prop has been doing just that as he navigates his way through a testing pre-season training schedule.
“Every year is pretty tough but it is really good to be back in the grind, be back into a routine, feeling fit again and to be around the boys again,” King added.
“A few of us boys got together a couple of times a week to go to a gym session or do a little run somewhere, just trying to keep the legs ticking over so it wasn’t as big as a challenge back in the start of November.”
The young prop said he has a number of targets before the start of season in March
“There are not enough hours in the day to work on everything I’ve got to work on,” laughed King.
“Fitness and strength and then you go into the skills, you can always work on your running game, tackle technique, a whole list of things.”
