Gold Coast’s constantly in-demand key forward Ben King is leaning towards breaking Victorian clubs’ hearts again and re-signing with the Suns for another two years.
The likes of Collingwood, Hawthorn and St Kilda would do everything possible to fit the 25-year-old spearhead into their salary cap if he wished to come home – and would not have to broker a trade, given he will be a restricted free agent at season’s end.
The problem for them is that King, who kicked a career-best 71 goals last season, has never indicated he wants to leave the Suns, whose ascent under Damien Hardwick makes it less likely he will play elsewhere.
“The way I feel about the Suns hasn’t changed. I love the football club and am really passionate about it,” King said recently. “I know we’re on the track to success.”
King, who was the No.6 pick in the 2018 draft, two spots behind his twin, Saint Max, has signed three consecutive two-year extensions and a fourth would extend his tenure up north to a decade.
He started this year with a four-goal haul in Gold Coast’s 56-point demolition of Geelong on Friday night.
Ben King is poised to break Victorian hearts all over again.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
What King does could have a flow-on effect for fellow Suns forward Jed Walter, whose three-year draft contract expires at season’s end.
There were clubs willing to give Walter, who spent part of his childhood in Perth, a 10-year deal in his draft year to convince him not to play for Gold Coast, but his academy association meant a scenario where he started anywhere but the Suns was highly improbable.
The 20-year-old was billed as a generational talent and subsequently went No.3 overall when Gold Coast matched North Melbourne’s bid on him.
The Suns will be desperate to retain Walter as King’s long-term partner in attack, but the situation could become complicated if Jamarra Ugle-Hagan blossoms in his new home and Ethan Read takes another step in his development.
Gold Coast matched a bid at pick three for top-rated academy product Jed Walter in the 2023 draft.Credit: Justin McManus
Walter served a one-game suspension last week, so he missed the season-opener, but has played 30 games across the past two years, so will likely regain his place for Sunday’s clash with West Coast.
Carlton were interested in Walter when Gold Coast were sniffing around Charlie Curnow last year, while Melbourne, North Melbourne and Essendon expressed interest as well. West Coast and Collingwood are other possibilities.
Big-ticket targets
Geelong are certain to prepare a big offer for Zak Butters, Port Adelaide’s restricted free agent who most expect to return to Victoria at season’s end. He will have no shortage of suitors, with the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Hawthorn also likely to be in the race.
Based on market rates, Butters could expect to earn $2 million per season in at least a few years of his next contract after St Kilda made Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera the league’s first $2 million man on a two-year deal in August.
However, clubs remain cautious on whether the market has reached the point where a player’s average annual wage across a six- or seven-year deal would be that high.
Hawthorn, Carlton and Collingwood were other clubs that inquired at the time.
Humphrey, 21, opened the season with a bang, booting four goals from 15 touches and having a few runs in the centre as well. That will only fuel Victorian clubs’ interest in him.
A Tasmanian in demand
Emerging midfielder Ryley Sanders missed the Western Bulldogs’ inspiring win over the Brisbane Lions due to concussion but remains a best-23 player at the club.
The Tasmanian is obviously of interest to the Devils but only if the terms are right, and it appears the opening gambit on what it would take to secure him is well beyond what the expansion club would be prepared to pay.
The Bulldogs are comfortable with where their discussions sit with Sanders as the top-10 pick is going to develop into an outstanding player. He wanted to complete pre-season and get the season underway before contemplating his contract.
Tasmanian Bulldog Ryley Sanders will be on the Devils’ radar. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
In an ideal world, they would lock Sanders in beyond 2028, but at the very least will need to come to an agreement that secures the promising youngster through 2027, then back themselves in to keep him from the Devils’ clutches if he becomes affordable.
Last year’s failed trades
Essendon are trying to extend former captain Zach Merrett’s contract beyond 2027 after his failed bid to cross to Hawthorn in the off-season, but the situation remains one of the major storylines.
The Bombers criticised the Hawks for not formally approaching them about their interest in Merrett until late in the trade period.
They eventually demanded four first-round selections and a future second-rounder in return for Merrett, and rejected Hawthorn’s offer of three first-rounders and fringe midfielder Henry Hustwaite.
St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall was unable to get to Geelong during last year’s trade period after the door was opened then shut.
However, he had no room to complain as he is contracted until 2027 on a five-year deal, but the 30-year-old is certain to be a watch throughout this season as Tom De Koning takes over as the Saints’ No.1 ruck.
Western Bulldogs utility Buku Khamis requested a trade to Carlton in September, but the Dogs held him to his contract for 2026. They won’t be able to do that again this year if he still wants to leave as he is a free agent.
Lower-profile free agents
There are under-the-radar names to follow in this year’s free agency class.
Key defender-needy clubs North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs both attempted to prise Jordon Butts out of Adelaide in last year’s trade period with a season to run on his contract – but the Crows rebuffed them.
Butts can walk to a new club without a trade if the same interest is there, and he does not choose to re-sign at West Lakes.
Hawk Mitch Lewis’ name perennially comes up at trade time, but the big forward has more power this time around as a free agent who is sure to attract interest.
Hawthorn have Mabior Chol, developing pair Calsher Dear and Max Ramsden and drafted Aidan Schubert and Cameron Nairn, so may not break the bank to keep Lewis, who kicked only 13 goals from 12 appearances the past two seasons while battling injuries, in particular an ACL rupture.
The Hawks may not break the bank to keep Mitch Lewis.Credit: AFL Photos
Sydney have been trying to lock forward-ruck Joel Amartey away since late last year, in a bid to create a long-term three-headed monster in attack with recruit Charlie Curnow and top-five pick Logan McDonald.
The Crows previously showed interest in Melbourne’s Kade Chandler, while Essendon pursued Giant Conor Stone in the 2024 trade period, although they could have tried again last year – if they were still interested – when GWS delisted him under contract.
Richmond have the likes of No.1 pick Sam Lalor, Taj Hotton, Josh Smillie, Sam Cumming and Sam Grlj as young midfield options, so Jack Ross might look elsewhere if he fears he is not in the club’s long-term plans.
Ross, 25, played a career-high 23 matches last season, averaging 19 disposals, so it will be interesting to see how the year plays out for him.
Fremantle forward Sam Sturt is in the final stages of his recovery from a knee reconstruction after missing all of last season. Originally a top-20 pick out of the Dandenong Stingrays, Sturt could emerge as a player of interest if he makes a successful return this season.
West Coast big men Matt Flynn and Bailey Williams are candidates to join the annual ruck merry-go-round if their future is not already decided in the next few months.
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