‘St Kilda would not, could not have done it’: Max King’s eight-year deal stuns AFL greats

Injury-prone St Kilda key forward Max King has been handed a monster new deal that has left AFL greats in disbelief.

St Kilda have shown the faith in Max King, signing the 206cm key forward to six-year extension, despite still having two years remaining on his current contract in the biggest contract in club history.

But questions have been asked as the 24-year-old comes off yet another injury hit season.

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Since he was picked up at No. 4 in the 2018 draft and debuted in 2020, King has played 83 games over five seasons for St Kilda, with just 23 over the past two as he battles injuries.

King’s entire tenure at the club has been marked with injuries, including an ACL injury that ruled him out of his entire draft season.

When he returned, he suffered an ankle injury that delayed his AFL debut to 2020.

However, it’s been the last two seasons that have been the most frustrating, having undergone two shoulder reconstructions last season as well as a posterior cruciate ligament blow that ended his season in July.

When on the field, King has been the target of criticism at times, including one brutal period where he kicked 11.21 in early 2021.

King has also been St Kilda’s leading goalkicker in 2021 (38 goals) and 2022 (52 goals). His 2022 tally was the most since Stephen Milne in 2012.

His 2024 season was particularly rough, booting only 19.12 in 12 matches.

Max King has signed a massive new deal. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It’s hardly the statistics that would give many people confidence enough to lock him in for a long-term deal.

And former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley pointed out that the stat that saw St Kilda lose seven of the 12 matches he played this season, while winning six of their last eight after he’d been injured.

“I think there is an argument that they are more versatile without him, which makes his signing even more interesting,” Buckley told SEN Breakfast.

“I think that would have been on St Kilda’s terms. And I think he would have seen, well okay, this is a long-term show of faith in me and it’s guaranteed money in some shape or form, but it wouldn’t be at the high level (of salary).”

Buckley was surprised when Channel 9 AFL reporter Tom Morris said be believed King would be on a deal close to $1 million a season.

“It would be close to $1 million, if not over per season on average,” he said.

“Look at all the players earning near $1 million in the league at the moment.”

Buckley replied: “Why would they sign him to that? St Kilda would not, could not, have done it.

“If it was $650,000-$700,000, then you could play with it — oh my god.”

Max King’s deal has perplexed AFL greats. Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Nathan Buckley couldn't believe it. Photo: X/SEN

Morris interjected: “That’s the salary cap. You played in the wrong era.”

Speaking on Nine’s Footy Furnace, Kane Cornes agreed that he didn’t know why the Saints couldn’t have waited.

“He had two years to go – I don’t understand the rush,” Cornes said.

“Let’s just see if Max can get his body right and be the player they think he is going to be. And conversely for Max, is this the game style under Ross Lyon that he wants to be a part of, which has been unsuccessful for him.

“I don’t get it … it’s one of the more risky moves I’ve seen.”

On AFL Trade Radio, he doubled down.

“They’ve just rushed into it,” he added.

“There was no need for a six-year contract extension for someone whose body is made of chalk.”

Kane Cornes Channel 9 Footy Show

Need to see more of this. Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Speaking on AFL Daily, Damien Barrett said he didn’t understand the decision from St Kilda.

“I wouldn’t be doing the Max King deal for that length of time if I’m St Kilda,” Barrett said.

“I’m yet to see Max King prove he can play football without getting injured every half season that he plays.

“I like his talents, I like his ability, if he gets his body right he still could be a very good player. But I wouldn’t be putting a 2032 contract to him at any stage.”

However, Barrett said all it really meant is that St Kilda controlled King’s contract for the next eight years but that he could still be a bargaining chip for a potential trade.

King spoke to the Herald Sun after the extension, detailing his strenuous workouts he’s been putting himself through as he attempts to strengthen his injury prone body, reportedly “smashing the squats until he gets jelly legs”.

“I reflected a little bit through this period as a whole on how it has been and, yeah, if I was being completely honest, I would have expected more of myself,” King said.

“Five years ago, when I was a naive 18-year-old and you feel like the world is at your feet, if you had said to me then, ‘How is it going to look in five years’ time?’ I would have liked to have done better.

“Done better as a team and as a player as well.

“I still feel proud of how I have carried myself and I know people have been frustrated with my output and I am probably the number one person who is the most frustrated.

“I know my ability and I know I have been inconsistent in showing that. So at the moment, I feel like I am at a bit of a crossroads.

“If you are going to do it, it is now. It is time to consistently show your ability.

“So when I look back at the past five years, no, there is not much satisfaction there.

“But I’m hungry and feel like there is more to give, so I’m definitely excited for the next block.”

Originally published as ‘St Kilda would not, could not have done it’: Max King’s eight-year deal stuns AFL greats