Collingwood bow out of race for Gold Coast star Ben King's signature
Ben King looks set to remain on the Gold Coast
www.sportingnews.comBen King is a prominent AFL forward whose free-agent status was a hot topic in early 2026, with Gold Coast Suns still well placed to re-sign him as of the latest reports. Several outlets indicated Collingwood and other clubs were weighing moves, but recent coverage suggested King was leaning toward remaining with the Suns on a new deal.
Key points from the latest coverage
- Contract status: King was out of contract at the end of 2026, with the Suns reportedly ready to offer an extension and keep him long term. This was echoed by AFL media and Suns’ discussions about a multi-year arrangement.[3][6]
- Interest from rivals: Collingwood and a few Victorian clubs were linked as potential destinations, but the Suns publicly appeared confident in re-signing him.[4][8][3]
- Market value and terms: The Suns reportedly tabled a lucrative but shorter-term two-year offer as part of ongoing negotiations, a strategy some clubs have used with top free agents to balance long-term commitments.[3]
- Public sentiment: King remained highly productive, leading goal-kicking discussions during the season and drawing attention from multiple teams while also expressing a strong connection to Gold Coast.[6]
Would you like a concise timeline of Ben King’s contract talks with dates and key quotes, or a quick side-by-side table comparing the interest from Collingwood versus the Suns with projected deal lengths and annual values? I can also pull the latest updates if you want the most current status.