Ben King gives Gold Coast Suns hope for the future with early AFL success

Gold Coast have lost nine games straight but the emergence of high-end draft pick Ben King has club powerbrokers salivating about the future.

GOLD Coast have lost nine games straight but the emergence of high-end draft pick Ben King has club powerbrokers salivating about the future.

King was singled out for praise by Suns coach Stuart Dew following the club’s 11.14 (80) to 11.10 (76) loss to St Kilda at Riverway Stadium in Townsville on Saturday.

It followed a performance from King that included two goals from four set shots in the opening two quarters, five marks, three inside 50s and eight disposals.

King’s agility for a man who stands 202cm, leading patterns and ability to take a contested mark against seasoned AFL players has underpinned his early success at the top level since making his debut on a wet day in South Australia against Port Adelaide in Round 9.

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“It’s his first year of playing regular footy against men,” Dew said.

“We love having him in the side.

“He presents a really good target, he’s hitting the scoreboard as well.

“We’re very happy with the way Ben’s progressing.”

Ben King of the Suns (centre) celebrates scoring a goal with teammates during the Round 13 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the St Kilda Saints at Riverway Stadium in Townsville, Saturday, June 15, 2019. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

King didn’t trouble the scoreboard in his first two games, with conditions in his debut making it difficult for any tall while Geelong’s dominance over Gold Coast meant he had limited supply.

But King, whose twin Max looks to have avoided major injury following a scare while playing for St Kilda’s VFL side Sandringham on the weekend, has since recorded 1.1 and 2.1 as he gathers confidence at AFL level.

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Gold Coast’s forward line could have another exciting edge soon after the club returns from this week’s scheduled bye with Izak Rankine, the no. 3 pick at last year’s draft, understood to be nearing a return to football after battling a hamstring injury for most of the year.

It could mean Rankine is fit to return for the Suns Round 15 game against Sydney, the team he first hurt his hamstring against in the JLT Community Series in March, at the SCG on June 29.