Collingwood is rumoured to be confident they could secure Gold Coast Suns’ star forward Ben King at the end of 2026, but what would it take?
Ben King is currently contracted at the Suns until the end of 2026 and would become a restricted free agent if he hasn’t signed on at the Suns by then.
Gold Coast will have its hands full trying to fit some big names into its salary cap, including star midfielder Matt Rowell yet to sign on beyond this year.
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Journalist Ryan Daniels explained on Triple M that the Pies were looking for a young key forward to take over an aging forward line.
“We’ve heard a lot about the interest in Ben King for years here in the Victorian clubs, but I have it on good authority that Collingwood are very, very confident that this time next year that Ben King will be a Magpie, or very close to it,” Daniels said.
“He’s out of contract next year, that’s when they’re going to go super, super hard at him. They want him to be the next piece of the puzzle. I think they are super, super confident.”
The Pies would have to trade for King, take him through the national draft or hope the Suns don’t match their contract offer.
King would be a restricted free agent at the end of his current contract, which expires at the end of next season.
A restricted free agent means that if Gold Coast match an offer made by another club, such as the Pies, then a trade would have to be made for King to leave the Suns.
Geelong traded three first-round picks to GWS's star forward Jeremy Cameron, who won a Coleman Medal at the Giants and won a premiership for the cats after the trade.
Collingwood may have to offer something similar in a trade for King, with the Suns wanting a lot for their four-time leading goalkicker.
If trade negotiations failed, a restricted free agent could take the bold step to nominate for the national draft, but the risk is that any club could have access to him.
Gold Coast would receive compensation from the AFL if King were to leave; early expectations would suggest a first-round pick.
King is currently sitting fourth in the Coleman Medal, having kicked 33 goals this year.
Gold Coast is hoping to play finals for the first time in their history and currently sit in sixth position and will play the Giants away this week.
Collingwood is sitting clear on top of the ladder and will take on St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.