Max and the Metrics: The numbers that back up St Kilda’s massive contract investment in Max King

Max King has signed an eye-boggling new contract after the Saints lined his numbers up against past greats. They liked what they saw and here is how the spearhead compares to 12 others.

If you ask the Saints, one word pushed Max King’s monster contract extension more than any other: metrics.

The spearhead was long destined for a big extension, with his deal revealed by the Herald Sun to run until 2032, when he will turn 32.

When asked on Monday why the club believed in King, Saints footy boss David Misson dropped the ‘M’ word first.

“We look at metrics, we look at the character, we look at potential,” he said.

Max King compares well in the metrics. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos

Those metrics included the St Kilda football department comparing King to past greats and where they stood at the same point in their career.

And King compares pretty favourably when stacked up against 12 other modern marking forwards after 83 games.

In the analysis, King’s goal-per-game output of 1.92 shakes out well, ahead of his brother Ben (1.9), Charlie Curnow (1.7), Nick Riewoldt (1.66), Tom Lynch (1.61) and Josh Kennedy (1.61).

Tom Hawkins averaged just 1.43 goals in his first 83 games, often left in and out of a successful Geelong team.

Of the 12 players compared, only Jack Riewoldt (2.18), Harry McKay (2.02) and Jesse Hogan (1.99) rated better for goals.

In the air, only McKay (2.1), Nick Riewoldt (2.05), Tom Lynch (2.02) and grabbed more contested marks thank King’s 1.96.

King has clearly played close to home in his five AFL seasons so far and his mark average of 4.34 is low, as his is disposals average (9.53).

Only Nick Larkey and Ben King sit lower in both categories.

All key forwards mature at different rates, and King has had to handle a fair share of injuries, but the numbers say he is well on track for a big career.

Injuries will always be a query with King – he missed his first season in 2019 with a knee and has been bugged by shoulder and knee issues more recently.

Tom Hawkins became a Geelong champion. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos

But again, King stacks up favourably.

After his 2020 debut, it took him just over four years to hit 83 games, in 1561 days.

That is quicker than McKay (1833 days), Hawkins (1842), Kennedy (1904) and the injury-hit Curnow (2323).

There was little concern when the Blues signed up Curnow to the end of 2029 and McKay to 2030.

King’s simple goal tally of 159 after 83 games is well and truly clear of Hawkins (119) and Kennedy (134).

Kennedy would finish his career with 723 goals and Hawkins 796.

If King can get close to that, the St Kilda investment in the 206cm giant will be well worth it.

Originally published as Max and the Metrics: The numbers that back up St Kilda’s massive contract investment in Max King