Ben King AFL: Steven King says Gold Coast will back out of form forward to fire against Lions

After two goalkicking greats called for Gold Coast to make a drastic switch with out-of-form Ben King, the Suns have responded to the idea.

Gold Coast interim coach Steven King has ruled out a positional switch for out of form key forward Ben King as the Suns’ season goes on the line in QClash 25 on Saturday.

Lions legend Alastair Lynch told this masthead on Tuesday the Suns should consider playing King on a wing or even at centre half-back against Brisbane to help the 23-year-old find form after a goalless month of footy.

And while the Suns coach admitted there were conversations internally about a possible positional switch, the decision had been made to let him find form as a forward.

“We’ve discussed a few different options, but Benny is a forward,” Steven King said.

“He’s played down back before, but we’ll back him in, we’ll give him some freedom to get up the ground and use his athleticism and I think that’s something that he’s got an advantage over most other people of his height and size.”

Ben King was held to four disposals and a behind against the Giants at the weekend. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Steven King conceded his young forward was “down a little bit on confidence” but said the noise around his form was much higher outside the club than inside it.

“We all look at Ben and respect the work he’s done to get up for this season off the back of an ACL injury and that’s been huge – he probably took us a bit by surprise with the impact he had straight away early in the season,” he said.

“That’s part of Benny’s growth and he has my backing 110 per cent.

“He’s a great young player. He’s had some challenges already and faced some adversity that he’s overcome and this is just another little bump in the road which will make him stronger and more resilient.”

Gold Coast won the inside 50 count against the Giants last weekend but were outscored nine goals to three after halftime.

The Suns were simply unable to get anything going forward of centre and their foot skills going inside 50 often let them down.

Suns interim coach Steven King has backed Ben King to rediscover his form. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“Benny has to keep presenting at the ball and back his forward craft in, but I also think – and I said this to our playing group – our decisions and ball use going inside 50 last week weren’t at the level that we’d expect,” Steven King said.

“We didn’t give our forwards enough of an advantage when we had the footy in our hands.”

Brisbane has won its past nine matches against the Suns including a 43-point win at the Gabba earlier this year.