Spearhead King in doubt for Suns season opener
Gold Coast spearhead Ben King is in doubt for an opening round blockbuster against Richmond due to ongoing management of his knee.
The goalkicker missed all of the 2022 season due to a ruptured ACL and played in the Suns’ first 20 games of last year before he was rested in the last three rounds due to knee swelling.
The Suns have been extremely cautious with arguably their biggest asset this pre-season and carefully managed King’s body to build fitness in his legs.
He is expected to miss a match simulation clash with Brisbane
Lions on February 22 and could play limited minutes in an official pre-season match against GWS Giants a week later.
Gold Coast forwards coach Brad Miller said that meeting with the Giants would be crucial to King’s hopes of playing in new coach Damien Hardwick’s first game in charge on March 9.
Richmond full-forward Tom Lynch is in the same boat, in a race against time to play in the opening round after a slow build up due to a foot injury.
“He’ll be touch and go (to face Richmond),” Miller said. “We’ll give him every chance. “We’ve got to see how he goes in that practice match. If he can hold up there and play his minutes, he’ll be every chance to play.”
King will be eagerly watched off the field this year given the star forward is uncontracted and heavily desired by Victorian clubs.
He gave the strongest indication yet last week that he would soon ink a new deal on the Gold Coast.
When King does play, Miller said he was sure the big man would improve on what he has shown in his 73 games so far.
“He has put a lot of work into the mental side of the game,” Miller, a former Melbourne and Richmond forward, said.
“Even if he is not kicking give goals, taking 12 marks, what can he produce on those (quieter) days?
That has been his weakness in the past and I think he has addressed that. He has been really honest in himself and where that sits.”
While Mabior Chol has left the Suns for Hawthorn and No. 3 draft pick Jed Walter recently broke his collarbone, the Suns still have some depth to pair with Levi Casboult in opening round if King is unavailable.
Miller confirmed Jack Lukosius would continue up forward after being sent there in 2023.
“Sammy Day has had a really good pre-season as well, he has come back a little bit leaner, lost a few (kilograms) so we are hopeful he can fill that role as well,” Miller said. “We have options.”