Steven King wasn't the most high-profile person Melbourne considered when interviewing candidates to be the club's next senior coach.
The average AFL fan would perhaps be more familiar with the careers of other applicants such as Nathan Buckley and James Kelly, for example.
But in his own right, King has carved out quite the journey in football as he embarks on a full-time senior coaching position for the first time.
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Playing Days
At just 46-years-old, King already has three decades of experience at AFL level, dating back to his professional debut as a 17-year-old in 1996 for Geelong. At 202cm, King was unmissable, and quickly filled out his frame to become one of the best ruckmen in the competition for the Cats.
By 2000, he earned All-Australian honours, featuring in the team alongside stars such as Nathan Buckley, Matthew Lloyd, James Hird and the man he succeeds as Melbourne coach, Simon Goodwin.
King would become an integral part of the Cats' side, playing 193 games in the hoops, including as captain from 2003-2006. His last game would be the side's record-setting 2007 premiership triumph over Port Adelaide.
But after playing just six games in his final year at the cattery, King would receive a lifeline from St Kilda, extending his playing career until 2010. King would suit up for the Saints in the 2009 Grand Final against his former side, but missed both Grand Finals the following year, and retired at the end of the season.
Post-Retirement/Coaching
King would remain at Moorabbin for the 2011 season, immediately entering the coaching ranks. However, after senior coach Ross Lyon made the stunning move to abandon the Saints and head to Fremantle, King would follow him through the doors, ending up at the Western Bulldogs.
King spent a decade at the kennel, helping the Dogs to their drought-breaking 2016 flag. He would end his time at the Whitten Oval following the 2021 season, where his last game as part of the Dogs would see Melbourne snap a 57-year premiership drought of their own.
King then moved north to Queensland, joining Stuart Dew's coaching staff on the Gold Coast. His time at the Suns was less successful, but did see him take over Dew after the Suns sacked him during the 2023 season. As caretaker coach, King saw out two wins with the Suns, before returning to Victoria after Damien Hardwick landed the full-time senior coaching gig.
King would end up back where it all started, taking over as the Geelong's midfield coach. King would help the Cats return to the finals in 2024, after they missed the top eight in 2023 following a premiership the year before.
This time last year, King interviewed for the West Coast Eagles' vacant coaching position, missing out on the job to Andrew McQualter. Amid the process, he suffered a medical episode at a Cats' training session, but recovered well and spent only a brief period in hospital.
He remained at Geelong in 2025, again helping the Cats to a successful season, with the side currently one win away from another Grand Final appearance.
The Cats won last week's qualifying final against Brisbane, earning them a week off. Hours before Friday night's semi-final clash between Adelaide and Hawthorn to determine who the Cats will face next week, King was announced as Melbourne coach. He will officially join the Dees following the conclusion of the Cats' season.