Matt King has developed a cult following in Melbourne.

With his tall mop of curly hair, King has never been hard to miss. But it’s his football which is making people stand up and take notice these days.

The Casino-born outside back is one of the game’s feel-good stories, a player who salvaged his NRL career after the dream looked dead.

King was scratching around in lower grades when he was given a chance with Melbourne’s feeder club Brisbane Norths.

The rest is history. King got his chance late in the 2003 season and never looked back.

He is now a fixture in the Melbourne backline, where his size and deceiving strength make him a handful for the opposition.

His height has also become a potent factor in the Storm attack. He's also now a recognised representative player, having made his State of Origin and Test debuts in 2005 and repeating that feat in 2006.

To top it off, King is recognised as one of the game’s most well-liked and genuine characters.