Collingwood are reportedly ramping up their interest in Gold Coast star Ben King, with the club tipped to pursue the in-form key forward despite his current deal keeping him at Carrara until the end of 2026.
The 24-year-old is leading the Coleman Medal race with 29 goals from nine games and is on track to smash his personal best of 55 majors, set last year.
While King re-signed with the Suns ahead of the 2024 season, his long-standing ties to Victoria have only strengthened speculation about a future move south.
MORE: Dangerfield added to lengthy Geelong casualty ward
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey believes next year could mark a shift in the way King handles his next deal: “Traditionally, he’s done his deals over summer or at the start of a season, so he hasn’t waited too long into his contract year to get that done,” Twomey said on Gettable.
“I think that probably changes next year to use the free agency leverage. Collingwood will be all over him. I keep saying it, but they will be.”
A long-term solution to a long-standing gap
The Pies have been searching for a dominant key forward since the departure of Travis Cloke in 2016.
Brody Mihocek has been a reliable presence, but turns 33 next year, while fellow forwards Dan McStay and Tim Membrey come with fitness and age concerns. Mason Cox, now 34, is unlikely to be part of Collingwood’s long-term plans.
MORE: The complete 2025 AFL fixture
With King’s aerial presence and growing influence up front, he fits the mould of what the Magpies are missing, and their pitch is strong.
Surrounded by elite talent like Nick and Josh Daicos, Isaac Quaynor, Darcy Moore, and Jordan De Goey, the club boasts a core that could make a compelling case to any prospective recruit.