Gold Coast Suns have reportedly warded off suitors for Ben King, tying the injured young gun on a two-year deal.
SEN re[ported Thursday that King had given the club a massive boost by agreeing terms.
“King’s signature had been among the most sought-after in the AFL, but his recommitment is a significant vote of confidence in a club that is once again trying to keep its emerging group together,” SEN wrote online
“The athletic 202cm key forward will sit out the year with a torn ACL, but at 21 he remains one of the game’s brightest talents.”
King kicked 47 goals to finish equal seventh in last year’s Coleman Medal having played 53 games in three seasons since being taken with pick 6 in the 2018 national draft.
Ben King. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
King, the linchpin of Gold Coast’s forward line, tore his ACL in a marking contest at training four weeks ago and is out for this season.
“Unfortunately Ben has ruptured his ACL in his right knee in a pretty simple marking contest that he’d been in many times before,” Gold Coast’s football manager Wayne Campbell said in a statement.
“Whenever someone goes down with an ACL, it’s shattering for a start.
“He’s got a really strong family and we’ve got some really good support around him from the footy club.
“It’s not ideal by any stretch but we know Ben’s strength of character will see him attack the challenge in a positive manner.”
“I’m very excited to sign on for another couple of years,” King said.
“I’ve been thinking about it for the last year or so and there was never really any doubt to commit to the SUNS.
“I’ve been very lucky from the start in that I feel very well supported by the club and have a great group of mates up on the Gold Coast.
“I think we have a really great group of people and we’re definitely building something special as we mature each year.
“The aim is to play finals and has been for the last couple of years… I think it’s definitely within reach.
“I love the club and I’m really confident in the direction the club’s heading.”
GC SUNS General Manager of Player Talent and Strategy Craig Cameron said securing King’s signature was an important moment for the club.
“We love Ben and what he brings to this football club so it’s fantastic that we have been able to agree on a contract extension prior to the season kicking off,” Cameron said.
“We never had any doubt Ben would commit his future to the club, and after a number of other players key re-signing over the last 12 months, we are confident we have set our club up for sustained, long-term success.
“Although Ben won’t be seen on the field this year, we know he will continue to have an influence around the group and we can’t wait to see him back in 2023.”
Lukey Miller
Guest
When his twin brother switches from the Saints to the Suns that will be a big turning point.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Yeah could...thats the problem with not playing 2 rucks these days...they want gametime,he seems happy there atm so see what happens
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I've got a feeling we'll lose Hayes soon
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Heard him say he is quite versatile.Played Forward Ruck even defence in underage.If Sam Hayes becomes a good ruckman and has a good run without and serious injuries Vinsentine [if any good]will be waiting sometime for alot of gametime ,cant see them playing 2 ruckman,could they turn him into a big defender/Forward I was wondering...who pinch hits in the ruck
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Doubt he'd be on the red after open heart surgery
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I've heard good things about Vincenti, gotta start somewhere, doubt he's on much coin, a ruck prospect for when Scotty stops bashing people
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Maybe they are signing everyone up before they sack Hinkley,,they love him so then we can say nah nah nah,you are under contract,you not going anywhere :laughing:
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I guess they see them more than us
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Midfield is a bit cramped for places at the moment, PTS. To paraphrase Jono Brown when asked what would have happened had the AFL not changed the zoning rules and NIck Riewoldt had been drafted to the Lions, I'm not sure we'd have a spot for him. Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Touk Miller, David Swallow, Brayden Fiorini and Alex Davies look like forming the midfield rotation and it really is hard to see a debutant getting game time where Elijah Hollands and Sam Flanders can't get a look in while there's also the reigning Magarey Medallist in Dew's back pocket, with Jack Bowes and Charlie Constable still to come back from injury. But OK, we'll have him if you're trading.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
No concerns l’m just a supporter wanting to see some results, l’m sure Bevo knows how to motivate this talented kid.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
he is a funny one,what is the concerns from the dogs about him
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea very true. Jamarra our No.1 pick looks to be another year before the dogs see anything back, it’s bloody frustrating but l hope it’s worth the wait.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
You must always qualify whether Slobbo has had a litre of red before his comments. TBH he appears completely smashed most times he goes on air.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Hilarious. Love it Thom.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Nick Daicos seriously thought about making his own path by trying to get to the Suns too. Success attracts talent. If the Suns do get going well it's lucky the Pies stitched Daicos up for 4 years.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
yeah,we have a couple now..Ollie Lord is about 200cm also, Visentine has a bit of mongrel in him to which I like.But they take time to develop and bulk up.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Tall blokes are gems if they can get the pill we seem to have an abundance of midgets in Oz but finding giants is a lot harder. Unless your from WA seems to be the land of giants but the East coast are stocky under 6 ft 3
Maxy
Roar Rookie
lol he got drafted last year big 202cm forward/ruck dude.Thought it very strange to extend contracts before he has even played any games,I have been seeing alot of players resigning after I posted this to Brendon..heap of them and think Butters is about to resign also,must be something to do with balancing salary cap space or something for the future
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Who the hell is that?
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
It’s actually two years before the graft they put in (assuming it’s a traditional tendon graft) has 95% of the tensile strength of the previous ligament. But it’s about nine months with an accelerated rehab program before you’re ready to return to sport