Bulldogs' Max King says mould infestation left family sick for six weeks ahead of finals

Canterbury forward Max King said he and his family endured a six-week bout of illness caused by a mould infestation at their home, a problem he has now left behind as he prepares for Friday's qualification final against Melbourne.

The 28-year-old said he experienced relentless flu-like symptoms — coughing, phlegm, hot and cold sweats, lethargy and a persistent cough — that did not respond to multiple antibiotics. His wife, Christy, who is six months pregnant, and their one-year-old son, Hercules, also fell ill. "I've been crook — coughing, flu, phlegm, lethargic, down — and I haven't been getting better. I've been sick for six to seven weeks," King told News Corp. "There were games where I thought I was on my deathbed."

King said the family traced the symptoms to mould exposure after a spate of rain and poor ventilation in their rental property in Miranda. At the club's urging, they moved into a two-bedroom unit in Mascot provided with assistance from the Bulldogs. King said the improvement was rapid: "A day or two later, we are all feeling great again. Honestly, I've never heard about it before. It's awesome to be out and I'm feeling sweet again. I feel a million bucks. I could tell after the first night."

The move came while King was balancing finals preparations and the disruption of packing up his family. He credited teammates and club staff with supporting the family during the episode. "The better you feel as a person, the better you play as a football player," he said.

Mould and dampness are common issues in Australian housing, particularly in warm, humid or poorly ventilated spaces. Studies show between 33% and 50% of homes report mould or dampness problems each year. Health authorities note that exposure can trigger allergic reactions and infections and, in some severe cases, can be linked to illnesses caused by toxic moulds.

King's revelation comes with Canterbury entering the finals in patchy form. The Bulldogs began the 2025 season among the favourites for the minor premiership but have slid into third spot with just two wins from their past six matches. They face a Melbourne side that has been difficult to score against all season.

Canterbury is also expected to be undermanned. Bronson Xerri has been ruled out with concussion, while concerns remain over the fitness of starting wingers Marcelo Montoya and Jacob Kiraz. Montoya was seen on crutches at Belmore and Kiraz has been pictured in a moon boot.

King pointed to the narrowness of their recent loss to Melbourne as a platform for hope, saying Canterbury probably missed a few scoring opportunities in that match and needed to be more clinical. "I thought that Melbourne played well and for us, we probably missed a few opportunities out there," he said. "We probably need to take more advantage of opportunities and the Storm give you nothing. When you get a chance in a game against them you really have to ice it."

King's recovery and his family's improved health remove a significant personal burden heading into a high-stakes fixture. The Bulldogs will name their side and finalise preparations ahead of the qualification final as they attempt to arrest a late-season slide and contend with selection and injury concerns against a top-tier opponent.