Gold Coast Suns AFL: Ben King offers update on knee injury and contract extension

Gold Coast spearhead Ben King has spoken candidly about his ‘up and down’ season and his thoughts on Damien Hardwick’s arrival at the Suns.

Ben King celebrates kicking a goal for the Suns. Picture: Getty Images

Gold Coast spearhead Ben King says he is “not concerned” about his latest knee setback and “the plan” is to remain at the Suns beyond his current deal though when an extension will come remains to be seen.

King’s future on the coast is a regular topic of discussion given strong interest from Victorian clubs to lure him home and speculation will only grow over the off-season given his current deal expires at the end of 2024.

The 23-year-old told this masthead in June he “couldn’t be happier” in Queensland and expected extension talks to continue once the season was over.

Ben King plans to remain at the Suns beyond his current deal. Picture: Getty Images

He doubled down on that sentiment this week having just welcomed new coach Damien Hardwick to the club.

“I can’t wait to work with him,” King said of Hardwick.

“(Re-signing) has always been the plan to be honest – we’ve got so many good people in and around the club and he’ll only add to that.

“There’s definitely excitement around the playing group. It’s a real positive feel to end the year and we’ve got a lot of confidence in what we can hopefully achieve going forward over the next few years under a coach for who success seems to follow.”

The Suns will play their final game of the year against North Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday however King’s season is over after the club chose to rest him for the final three games due to knee soreness.

He played 20 games and kicked 40 goals this year after returning from an ACL injury that kept him sidelined for all of 2022.

His latest setback is in the same knee however King said it was not a long term concern.

“No not at all. I’m not concerned about it,” he said.

“It’s been my first year back after missing a big chunk of football. It’s just been a long year and it’s caught up with my body the past few weeks, but nothing to be concerned about.

Damien Hardwick signed a six-year deal to become the next Gold Coast Suns head coach. Picture: Getty Images

“I just needed a break essentially. I’ve tried to train and get up for the last couple of games but it’s just been a bit sore and swollen so it just needs a bit of a rest.

“I had a fair few ups and downs (this season) to be honest. I certainly didn’t find that consistency and as much as I was striving for that it is typically hard to find that again after missing a chunk of football.

“I’m just glad to have played 20 games of football and be able to reset in the off-season and go again next year.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Suns AFL: Ben King offers update on knee injury and contract extension