Richmond VFL coach Tim Clarke said “the door is open” for Jake King to try his hand at coaching.
King, 30, has been working with the Tigers’ VFL side this season while injured and has impressed staff with his attitude.
He announced his retirement from AFL footy on Monday after a debilitating toe injury brought an end to his 107-game career.
Clarke said the club would love to have King involved if he decided on a coaching path.
“The door is definitely open for Jake King,” he said.
“If he has time after recovering from the operation we’ll definitely open our arms for him to come help out. He knows that, I’ve spoken to him about it.
“He’s been helping out the young boys in whatever roles have been available, whether that’s down on the bench or up in the coach’s box and he has been a terrific mentor.
“We’ve only got four games left if we don’t make finals so there’s some opportunity for Jake to go through the process to see what it would be like to coach full-time.
“But whether or not he decides on that is his choice.”
Asked about his post-football plans, King said he had “a few options”.
Coach Damien Hardwick added: “I think he can coach, he’s been incredible for the VFL development side.”
King’s former club North Heidelberg also hopes King will return home, though he is unlikely to ever play again.
Bulldogs president Steve Peatling said King, a very popular figure at ‘The Kennel’, would be welcomed back with open arms.
“We’d love to see him come back,” he said. “We were always hoping he’d come back to us and play footy but it sounds like his toe is pretty bad so that could be done and dusted.”
Asked if he could come back in a coaching aspect, Peatling said the door was open.
“For sure,” he said. “He still has a lot of friends down here, and he was always brilliant with the young kids when he was playing with us, always having a kick.
“He’s a legend at the joint.”
King was recruited to the Tigers at age 23, straight from North Heidelberg in the Diamond Valley Football League (now Northern Football League).
When asked if he would go back to local footy, King said he did not like his chances.
“Probably not, no. So I won’t get to play with my two brothers but I’ll still be down there supporting them,” he said.
