Ben King

AFL trade news: Saints set to launch bid for Suns star Ben King

Could another Gold Coast young gun be tempted to leave Queensland?

Published by
Mitch Keating

St Kilda are stockpiling a lucrative offer to lure Gold Coast key-forward Ben King to Moorabbin.

As reported by The Herald Sun's Jay Clark, the Saints are expected to aggressively chase the 20-year-old at the end of next season when King's contract expires.

It is understood that King will delay contract negotiations until 2022 as he sets his sights on leading the Suns to their first top-eight finish.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Ben King of the Suns celebrates a goal with team mates during the round 3 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium on June 21, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The idea of joining his brother Max in the Saints forward structure is sure to be enticing when matching the concept with the dream of playing for the club he followed as a kid.

However, it will be a matter of how the Saints can land the impressive spearhead should he be made available.

The acquisition of King won't come cheap given his high ceiling and the Suns' hopes of retaining several key young guns.

With King seen as a future top-five forward alongside his brother, Gold Coast are sure to demand a war chest of wealth in exchange for his signature.

Unlike Max, Ben has managed two full seasons since being drafted in 2018, booting 65 goals from his 39 games with the Queensland club, taking out the Suns' leading goalkicker tally last year.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 26: Caleb Graham, Ben King, Izak Rankine, Jack Lukosius and Jez McLennan pose during a Gold Coast Suns AFL media Opportunity on November 26, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

With star midfielder Jack Billings entering free agency this season and the cashed-up North Melbourne potentially showing interest in the 25-year-old, the Saints could look to collect compensation to increase their bid for King.

Given Billings' assumed high asking price and a potential best and fairest podium finish in 2021 given his impressive start to the season, the Saints could snare a first-round selection in compensation.

The Saints are also set to deal with the futures of midfielder duo Seb Ross and Luke Dunstan along with veteran defender Jake Carlisle, who could also be seen as expendable in hope of landing another big-name target.

Published by
Mitch Keating