Could the interest in Charlie Curnow and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan be viewed as contemplating life after Ben King?
King comes out of contract at the end of 2026 as a free agent and would have the allure of a return to Victoria.
Gold Coast are looking for a final piece to their premiership puzzle, and have expressed early interest in luring Curnow or Ugle-Hagan to Queensland, albeit the latter's prospects are infant.
The Suns have been steadfast in retaining Academy prospects Jed Walter and Ethan Read on their list, despite their potential to help unlock a trade that could see the Carlton forward head north.
However, if the Queensland side were to somehow land either Curnow or Ugle-Hagan, how would their forward line look?
The intrigue around King is the fact that he hails from Melbourne, and would have a chorus of clubs around the competition, including powerhouse Collingwood, interested in his services.
The Pies have already been touted as a potential landing spot from 2027 onwards, going as far as reports indicating the club is "very confident" of signing the 25-year-old.
Craig McRae's side would have already begun planning for life after Brody Mihocek, Mason Cox and Tim Membrey, who are all on the wrong side of 30.
Mihocek is also considering his future at the club, and is weighing up an offer from Melbourne. Cox is expected to go around for one more year as a contingency, offering Darcy Cameron and Dan McStay assistance.
But Collingwood will still need a key forward, and the pitch to King would be simple: Nick Daicos.
The father-son star is joined by the likes of his brother, Josh, Isaac Quaynor, Harry Perryman, Dan Houston, Lachie Schultz, Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey, Brayden Maynard, Bobby Hill and Patrick Lipinski as the club's core.
Their salary cap pressures should ease to pursue King, with the impending retirements of Scott Pendlebury, Jeremy Howe and Steele Sidebottom, as well as Cox, likely providing more luxury to land a big fish.
If Mihocek and Jamie Elliott depart, that too will help lessen the financial burden.
However, a sticking point that should be a major consideration for King is the notion of playing finals football.
The Suns finally broke their September drought with a pair of matches, headed by a heart-stopping elimination final win over Fremantle.
Gold Coast are on the brink of something special under Damien Hardwick. Would King leave, after what would be almost eight years of turmoil?
As for the Pies, they have relied heavily on their veterans to take them to the promised land, and are all in for next year. But what does it look like from 2027 and beyond?
King, like Gold Coast, will be considering all factors.
