Gold Coast AFL: Steven King committed to Suns as part of Damien Hardwick era

With the Damien Hardwick era at Gold Coast officially underway, the man who replaced Stuart Dew as interim coach has revealed whether he’s set to stay or push for a senior job elsewhere.

Steven King. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

With one game to go before handing the reins over to Damien Hardwick, Gold Coast interim coach Steven King says he has not considered other coaching opportunities and is “really committed” to the Suns.

King is in line to return to his assistant coach role next season with Hardwick signing-on as the Suns’ next permanent head coach on a six-year deal as announced on Monday.

He took over from Stuart Dew in round 18 and has piloted the Suns to a 2-4 record in that span, including a drought-breaking 41-point win over Brisbane in the QClash.

King was hailed for his tactics in the upset victory over the Lions and has made no secret of his desire to one day be a full-time senior coach.

Richmond remains on the hunt for its next head coach after Hardwick’s departure earlier this season, but King said he had not entertained the possibility of a move to the Tigers.

Steven King says he has not thought about pitching for the vacant Richmond job. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“Look to be honest I haven’t given too much thought to that,” he said.

“I think it would be disrespectful while I’m still in this role doing this job – my full focus has been on doing the best possible job I could and I probably couldn’t manage having my eyes on this and also worrying about another opportunity at this stage.

“I’m really committed here and I’ve loved my time up on the coast.”

King’s weekly press conference at Carrara was a much more muted affair to the bells and whistles put on to announce Hardwick’s signing earlier that week.

The former Geelong premiership player said Hardwick was “exactly what this club needs” and welcomed the opportunity to work under the former Richmond coach.

“I’m just really excited about sitting back now and getting my hands dirty with the midfield group and have the opportunity to work with a three-time premiership coach,” King said.

“I think that’s going to be great for my development and something I’m excited and looking forward to.

“I’ve been really fortunate in my time in the game over nearly 30 years (to be) around Mark Thompson, Ross Lyon, Luke Beveridge, Brendan McCartney and then (Stuart) Dew – to be around people that have either experienced premiership success as players or coaches.

“I think Richmond changed the game the way it was played (under Hardwick) … so from an assistant point of view it’s always exciting to hear how someone with experience sees the game a bit differently.”

Damien Hardwick was officially unveiled as Gold Coast’s next head coach on Monday. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

King’s final game in charge comes on Saturday against North Melbourne in Hobart.

The Suns have already ruled out a trio of forwards with Ben King, Jack Lukosius and Bailey Humphrey all set to miss the clash.

Ben King missed last weekend’s loss to Carlton with knee soreness and will again be rested this weekend, though the coach said there was no concern he had done any significant damage.

“Jack Lukosius had surgery already – he didn’t run at all last week and tried to play with some pain management (against Carlton),” King revealed.

“He just had his ankle cleaned out, so he wouldn’t have been available this week.

“Bailey Humphrey has ruptured a finger tendon so if he didn’t get that fixed this week that would have retracted up his arm, so it’s something that had to get done.

“We would have loved those two boys to finish the year out and they were disappointed they couldn’t be part of it.”

Originally published as Gold Coast AFL: Steven King committed to Suns as part of Damien Hardwick era