Star Gold Coast forward Ben King not even considering move despite speculation

He’s only seven games into a new contract and speculation for a move back to Melbourne means nothing to Ben King.

Gold Coast spearhead Ben King has no interest in following the AFL news cycle even when his future keeps coming up and is adamant he’s loving life playing at the Suns.

King is contracted to his club until the end of 2024, but the Melbourne-born twin brother of St Kilda star Max has been linked to a move home, with Collingwood keen to snare the 22-year-old.

But making his return to football in 2023 after missing most of 2022 with ACL injury, during which time he signed his two-year contract extension, has been his sole focus.

That and getting back to his best, which King has shown in games this season, already booting 16.3, including his last 11 goals straight to help the Suns to a 3-4 record.

King, who bought a house on the Gold Coast and even lured his girlfriend north, said any talk of a possible move away from the Suns wasn’t entering his thoughts.

“I don‘t read any of it to be honest, don’t see any of it,” he said.

“I‘m not on Facebook, not across much AFL news.

“It doesn’t affect me. I’ve just played seven games of the new contract I’ve signed.

“As I’ve always said, I’m loving football up here and loving life on the Gold Coast, so it doesn’t really enter my mind.

Ben King isn’t going anywhere. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Talk like that is just part of the industry and what happens with everyone. I‘m pretty used to it.

“I‘m really settled, love playing football with these blokes.”

King said his future wasn’t tied to his team’s win-loss record either.

“It‘s not about that (results over next two seasons),” he said.

“I feel like we‘re taking strides every year and every week. I’m really confident we’ll keep improving and definitely be pushing for finals.”

King has bags of five and four goals in wins over North Melbourne and Richmond that have helped the team build belief finals remains an option.

“As expected, missing a lot of football (I knew) there‘d be a gradual build into it,” he said.

“I‘ve been very grateful to just be playing with my teammates again and having a couple of wins.

“Those are the moments I‘ve missed and been thinking about. It’s been pretty special.”