AFTER playing his part in Geelong's crushing win over Port Adelaide in yesterday's grand final, former captain Steven King last night said he was proud to have maintained his dignity while his future in the all-conquering team was debated so intensely.

The 28-year-old, who relinquished the captaincy last year after several frustrating seasons marked by knee, Achilles and shoulder injuries, has experienced an extraordinary week of pressure in the build-up to his first AFL grand final.

Last Sunday he was a member of the Cats' VFL premiership team before winning his place back in the senior line-up for the first time since round 20. The one-time All-Australian ruckman replaced emerging big-man Mark Blake in the team after intense speculation about who would share the rucking duties alongside Brad Ottens.

Last night King said he had fought hard all month to drown out the constant speculation about his future in the team. So intense did the debate become that Geelong announced King's inclusion in the grand final side last Wednesday, more than a day earlier than usual.

"It's been pretty tough, I have just tried not to listen to too many people, only the people you really care about. It's just a great lesson for anyone, when you are feeling down, to just keep up and keep positive and just keep at it.

"I am just really proud of myself for the way that I have handled myself, all year, I guess. I have tried to maintain my integrity and my character and stuff in such a ruthless game, and it's all worth it now."

For King, who made his debut with the Cats in 1996 — making him the longest-serving player on the Geelong list — yesterday's victory was reward for a long career and almost half a lifetime away from his family and mates in Shepparton.

Despite not playing in the senior team for more than six weeks, King said he was always confident he would contribute well yesterday.

Prior to yesterday's massacre, the ruck contests were seen as one of the key battlefields in the grand final, with King and Brad Ottens pitted against Port Adelaide's highly fancied combination of Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan.

"We are both All-Australian ruckman, and I think people forget that," King said. "So, hopefully it proved to a few people that we aren't a bad ruck combination ourselves."

King is now out of contract with the Cats and will wait and see what fate delivers him in the coming weeks. For now, he just wants to enjoy the moment and what he is able to control.