Collingwood’s pursuit of Gold Coast star Ben King is set to end in frustration, with the key forward refusing to engage with rival clubs as he edges towards a new contract extension that would keep him on the Gold Coast until the end of 2028.
King has emerged as one of the AFL’s most important unsigned players this season and had loomed as a potential marquee target for clubs chasing a genuine No.1 key forward. But despite significant external interest — including from Collingwood — industry sources believe the Suns spearhead is increasingly likely to commit to a fresh two-year extension rather than test free agency at the end of the year.
If King had decided to explore his free agency this year, as a restricted free agent the Suns would have almost certainly matched any offer and forced a trade, much like Port Adelaide are expected to do with star midfielder Zak Butters.
If and when King comes out of contract again in 2028, he will be an unrestricted free agent and able to choose his destination.
The development will force Collingwood into a recalibration of their list strategy as Craig McRae’s side searches for the next focal point of its attack for its next premiership tilt.
The Magpies had identified King as one of the few available elite key forwards capable of transforming their front half for the next five to seven years. But those hopes have steadily faded over recent months as King made it clear to interested clubs that he had little appetite to entertain pitches from Victorian rivals.
While King’s management has continued formal discussions with the Suns, rival clubs attempting to position themselves in the race have struggled to gain traction, with some effectively told not to waste their time.
It is understood Gold Coast’s proposed extension would add a further two seasons to King’s current deal, tying him to the club through to the end of 2028 and delaying any major free agency call until he is deep into his career prime.
The Suns have long been confident they could retain the 25-year-old despite the annual speculation linking him to Victoria and, in particular, comparisons to his twin brother Max King at St Kilda.
King has become central to Gold Coast’s long-term planning under Damien Hardwick and is viewed internally as one of the club’s leadership pillars alongside Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell.
The former No.6 pick has also developed into one of the competition’s premier key forwards when fit, booting 40 goals or more in four separate seasons despite suffering a ruptured ACL that wiped out his entire 2022 campaign, including a career-high 71 last season.
His impending recommitment is also another important retention win for the Suns as the AFL continues to monitor the expansion club’s ability to hold elite talent amid growing Victorian interest.
For Collingwood, however, it leaves a glaring long-term question over the composition of their forward line.
Jamie Elliott has struggled in 2026 as he enters the twilight his career, while key forwards Dan McStay and Tim Membrey have failed to set the world on fire in black and white stripes.
The Magpies have remained firmly in the premiership window under McRae, but list managers across the competition believe their next challenge will be navigating the transition from an ageing core without bottoming out.
King had been viewed internally and externally as the type of acquisition capable of extending that window.
Instead, Collingwood may now need to explore alternative avenues, either through next year’s free agency market or via the draft, where genuine franchise key forwards remain notoriously difficult to secure.
The reality facing the Magpies is that proven elite key forwards seldom become available in their prime unless they initiate a move themselves.
And in King’s case, all indications are that he has done the opposite.
Despite the noise surrounding his future throughout the season, the star Sun has privately given little encouragement to rival clubs and appears increasingly committed to continuing Gold Coast’s rise under Hardwick.
Sam McClure is an award-winning AFL journalist and broadcaster.Connect via X or email.
