Collingwood are reportedly preparing a significant move for Gold Coast Suns forward Ben King, with internal confidence surging that the high-flying 24-year-old will be wearing black and white by the end of 2025.
According to AFL journalist Ryan Daniels, the Magpies are “very, very confident” of securing King, who remains contracted to the Suns until the end of the 2026 season.
Speaking on Triple M, Daniels stated the Pies view King as a major puzzle piece in building their next premiership-contending roster.
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King, currently fourth in the Coleman Medal race with 33 goals, has been instrumental in leading the Suns to their best-ever start to a season.
Sitting sixth on the ladder with an 8-4 record after Round 14, the Suns appear poised for a maiden finals appearance—yet speculation continues to swirl around King’s long-term future.
A Victorian native and 2018 draftee, King has long been on the radar of clubs in his home state, including St Kilda, who are keen to reunite him with his twin brother Max.
However, Collingwood appear to have surged ahead in the race, potentially leveraging both their on-field status and long-term list strategy to entice the key forward.
The Magpies, whose key forwards Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek are both 32, view King as a long-term successor. Though a trade would be necessary for a move prior to 2026, King would qualify for free agency at the end of that season, opening the door for a direct switch.
Adding complexity to the situation is Collingwood’s reported interest in Suns midfielder Matt Rowell, who comes off contract at the end of this season. Any pursuit of Rowell could tighten the club’s salary cap and impact their ability to land King without major list changes.
Despite a serious knee injury that ruled him out for all of 2022, King has amassed 217 goals across 107 games. Only Tom Lynch has kicked more in Suns history—a feat that underscores the magnitude of his potential departure.
While nothing is set in stone, the growing confidence within the Collingwood camp has turned what was once distant speculation into a scenario fans and rival clubs are watching closely.
