An early four-club read on one of the league’s most high-profile restricted free agents this season has been revealed.
Plus, the left-field contract quirk in the deal of a star Cat.
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THREE-CLUB RACE OUT OF VICTORIA FOR STAR SUN
An early read on the future of Gold Coast star Ben King has been revealed, with the restricted free agent remaining unsigned at the start of the 2026 season.
SEN’s Tom Morris reported on Tuesday evening that the 25-year-old still remains likeliest to stay at the Suns beyond this year, but a trio of Victorian clubs remain firmly in the hunt for his services.
“I don’t think he’s made his mind up yet. People around him would love him to stay at the Suns for another two years,” Morris told SEN’s Locked In.
“I’ll give you a pie chart. Gold Coast are still very much (the favourites) … but, it’s not a football decision. This comes down to a lifestyle decision for he and his partner as well.
“Gold Coast are at 60 (per cent). Then, equally divided, are Collingwood, Hawthorn and Geelong … between 40 per cent, they’re the three other clubs.”
The Magpies’ interest in King has long been documented, while the Cats were in the race for dual Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow last off-season, before he ultimately left for Sydney.
King last signed a two-year extension at Gold Coast in December of 2024, and has kicked nine goals from his first two matches this season.
Do the Cats have midfield depth issues? | 01:34
STAR CAT’S CONTRACT QUIRK
A quirk within the contract of Geelong premiership hero Tyson Stengle has shed light on how clubs have recently been creative with the re-signing of their star players.
Tom Morris revealed on SEN that Stengle has a best and fairest-related trigger in his current five-year deal, that would see him get to a sixth season if ticked off.
“He signed a five-year extension according to the club; they don’t really give out six-year deals the Cats, as far as I know. Even Jeremy Cameron got a five-year deal, plus triggers, when he went from the Giants,” Morris said on Tuesday evening.
“He’s still a fair while from playing now … in the next month or two (he could return). If he does reach a certain position in a best-and-fairest in this timeline, he’ll have a six-year deal.”
The forward’s deal was reported back in 2024 to be worth $3.5 million across the five seasons, working out to $700,000 per year.
Stengle has had an interrupted pre-season as he deals with personal issues, with his return currently listed as ‘individualised program’ on Geelong’s injury list.
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