Ben King declares himself fit for season opener as Suns set for defensive reshuffle

One of Gold Coast’s key pillars has declared himself good to go for the first game of the season as the Suns look to reshuffle their defence under new coach Damien Hardwick. CALLUM DICK has all the news from Suns training.

Ben King appears primed for an Opening Round berth after a standout showing in Gold Coast’s intraclub clash at Carrara on Thursday.

The Suns spearhead, who is yet to sign a contract extension beyond the end of this season, had been considered touch and go for the March 9 opener against Richmond with knee soreness.

But King put those fitness concerns to bed with a blistering early display on Thursday, clunking a handful of strong marks on the lead and even kicking a check side goal off his boot laces in traffic.

The 23-year-old played two thirds of the match simulation and looked unencumbered by the knee complaint that delayed his start to pre-season.

“Yeah (I) pulled up well,” King said.

“I felt really good out there and felt I was ready to take that next step into match sim and really enjoyed being out there to be honest.

“Yeah confident (of playing Opening Round). I felt great today. There’s still practice matches and things to tick off before then but yeah, I’m pretty confident.

Ben King has declared himself fit for the Suns’ opening game against Richmond. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

“I wasn’t thinking about it (the knee) at all to be honest, I was just playing footy.”

The 23-year-old would be a major in for the Suns against the Tigers, who will be without their own spearhead Tom Lynch for the season opener.

King booted 40 goals last season off the back of an ACL injury that cruelled his 2022 campaign.

He said the rehab lessons learned then put him in good stead for a frustrating but necessary slow start to this pre-season.

“I’ve had a bit of practice in wanting to play and not being able to,” King said.

“I was patient for a lot of the pre-season. I wanted to be out there from the start but I’m glad I was patient and I think it will hold me in good stead for the year now.”

King’s patience has extended to contract talks. He has had a fresh deal in front of him for months now, but the spearhead has not yet signed beyond the end of this season.

“No, I haven’t signed a contract yet,” he said.

“But as I’ve said all along I’m loving it up here and no doubt that part of it will take care of itself in due course.”

Suns mentor Damien Hardwick could have one of the most potent midfields in the competition at his disposal in 2024. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

MIDFIELD MOVING UP

After an injury-interrupted 2023 campaign, skipper Touk Miller sent a reminder to his teammates who the top dog in midfield is with a near best-on display.

Miller booted a match-high two goals and set the standard for tackle pressure and talk through the middle as he eyes a return to the form that had him in Brownlow contention only two years ago.

His partners in crime were equally as impressive on Thursday.

Matt Rowell showed a glimpse of his new-found attacking intent with a blistering run down the outer wing in the first term.

The 22-year-old’s off-season sprint training looks to have paid off, with Suns staffers declaring they had never seen him hit those speeds previously.

Noah Anderson was typically dominant in the middle and his extraction work top-class. If he can rise another level on his best and fairest 2023 campaign, the Suns midfield could be among the top engine rooms in the competition this year.

SEXTON SET FOR SWITCH

Longtime fan-favourite Alex Sexton looks set for a swap into defence as one of the major early tactical moves from Damien Hardwick.

A two-time club leading goal kicker, Sexton has been on the outer in recent years as an out-and-out forward – managing just 12 games over the past two seasons.

But he could be reborn as a rebounding defender under Hardwick.

And the early signs looked promising for the 29-year-old, who could be the clubhouse leader to deputise for the injured Lachie Weller across halfback to begin the season.

Hardwick’s plan to utilise the silky skills of Sexton were put on display in the final term of Thursday’s match, when he sprinted from the back of the square to receive a handball before unleashing a 60m dart that hit Sam Day lace out inside 50.

Bodhi Uwland alongside coach Damien Hardwick. Uwland was in the club’s A side on Thursday as the Suns work towards Opening Round. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

BACKLINE REBALANCE

The Gold Coast defence could be on for a major shake-up this season and not just with the addition of Sexton.

Forgotten man Connor Budarick was one of the stars of Thursday’s session and looks a lock to occupy one of the small defender roles under Hardwick.

Having overcome a second ACL injury to feature at the back end of last year, Budarick showed up with a point to prove this pre-season.

He looks set for kick out duties – at least while Weller is absent – and was one of sharpest players on the field.

Bodhi Uwland also ran with the first team on Thursday and looked solid playing in a back pocket, while Charlie Ballard clunked double digit intercept marks.

Former first rounder Mac Andrew ran with the seconds and played predominantly as a key forward, with Hardwick seemingly eager to test him in the tandem ruck-forward role he was drafted as.

SMALL FORWARD BATTLE

The surprises didn’t stop down back, with a number of new faces putting their hands up to open the season inside 50.

The “Cheat Code”, James Tsitas, is reportedly one of Hardwick’s new favourites and is among a handful of players vying for a small forward role this year.

Tsitas and Tom Berry shared time with the firsts and appear to be going head-to-head for a place in the forward line.

Tsitas will not be available for Opening Round as he serves the second week of a suspension held over from the VFL semi-final last year.

One forward 50 regular, Malcolm Rosas, looks to be on the outer to start the season with Hardwick demanding the prodigious talent to find more of his own footy.

He was rarely sighted on Thursday and could have an uphill battle to feature early in the campaign.

Originally published as Ben King declares himself fit for season opener as Suns set for defensive reshuffle