Hawthorn gun recruit Ben King said the appeal of returning to Melbourne and playing for a premiership contender as he searches for the ultimate success was too strong to ignore when weighing his free agency decision.
King was one of the biggest names among the 30 who found new clubs during the trade and free agency period, opting to exercise his free agency rights and depart Gold Coast as a restricted free agent.
Speaking for the first time in the brown and gold, the goal-kicking star gave a hint as to why he left the Suns for the Hawks.
"Lots of reasons," King said.
"It felt like a really good time to get back to Melbourne and have a fresh start somewhere. Hawthorn were really impressive throughout the process.
"Everyone I spoke to from the club spoke glowingly about it and presented really well in terms of football and the things they value as a club, so that really appealed to me, and it's definitely something I want to be a part of.
"Where I feel like this club is heading, they've had some amazing years the last few years. It feels like everyone is on the same page, really pushing towards success and winning a premiership.
"It's a really exciting opportunity to try and add something to this group and try win a flag."
King joins a stacked forward line, adding further selection pressure to a whole host of his new teammates.
Veteran Jack Gunston, reborn tall Mitchell Lewis and utility Mabior Chol largely held down the three key forward positions alongside a litany of dangerous small forwards.
Father-son youngster Calsher Dear was made to wait in the VFL before his opportunity presented itself in the absence of one or more of the aforementioned trio.
It also meant Aidan Schubert (trade) and Max Ramsden (delisted free agency) sought new homes given the lack of senior opportunity, and once the King move was confirmed, the pair found their way to Gold Coast and St Kilda.
But the tall Sun is also excited to play with Nick Watson, Dylan Moore, and Connor Macdonald in a forward line that will trouble the opposition in 2027.
"There are so many guys I'm excited to play alongside," King said.
"It's an incredible forward line and hopefully I can come into. All those guys are such good players, and hoping I can complement that group."
Gunston said the inclusion of King and the pressure for spots at Hawthorn is a "healthy thing", suggesting it will only improve the club as they look for more silverware.
"There are a few players in (the forward line) now," he said last week.
"It is exciting. The good teams I've been a part of have had multiple avenues to goal, and you want to make sure there's plenty of options going forward, and bringing Ben in is super for our footy club. He's a great talent and just knows how to kick goals, and that's what you need to do to win games.
"There'll be competition for spots, and that's a healthy thing.
"I'm sure it's up to (head coach) Sam (Mitchell) and 'Hick' (assistant coach Adrian Hickmott) in how it all looks. We want to create different options, different looks going forward, and if I need to go higher for a couple of minutes, then I'll be happily going back to the goal square."
