Suns have three days to stop Ben King's move to Hawthorn
Hawthorn offered Ben King a seven-year deal; the Suns have three days to match or accept compensation.
Hawthorn filed free agency paperwork for Ben King on Tuesday. The filing triggers a three-day window for the Suns.
The Suns can match his offer or accept a compensation pick, expected to be pick 7. King's seven-year deal runs to 2034 and is worth over $9 million.
He kicked 315 goals for Gold Coast, including 60 this season. He kicked a career-best 71 in 2025.
The clubs are negotiating over young Hawthorn forward Aidan Schubert. Schubert is considering a trade north.
Whether the Suns match King's deal depends on those talks. Hawthorn hopes King will fit alongside forwards Jack Gunston and Mitch Lewis.
- 315 for Gold Coast
- King's career goals
- 7 years to 2034
- Contract length
- over $9 million
- Deal worth
- 3 days
- Decision window
Why it mattersWhether Gold Coast lets their star goalkicker leave will reshape both clubs' forward lines for the next seven years and affect their premiership chances.
AustraliaAn AFL trade involving one of the league's top goalkickers affects how Gold Coast and Hawthorn compete in coming seasons.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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