SAINTS’ TWIN AIM IS TO BE KING OF CLUBS

ST KILDA is expected to launch a massive bid to poach Gold Coast’s Ben King to join his twin brother Max in Saints’ colours.

The Saints remain eager to land the star spearhead at the end of next season when King’s contract with the Suns expires.

St Kilda’s strong interest in the No. 6 draft pick puts the Suns on notice to continue their climb up the ladder and contend for finals next year or risk losing King.

The third-year goal kicker has informed clubs that he doesn’t want to discuss his next contract until next season, with his focus firmly on the team’s on-field performance this year.

But St Kilda, which has loaded up on midfielders in the past three trade periods adding Brad Crouch, pictured, Brad Hill, Zak Jones, Jack Higgins and Daniel Hannebery, could help round out the club’s list build if it can snare the Sandringham product on a long-term deal. The Saints face key decisions on a number of its players this season, including free agent Jack Billings, workhorse midfielder Seb Ross, swingman Jake Carlisle as well as Hannebery to help manage the salary cap at season’s end. Hannebery’s lucrative five-year deal expires at the end of 2023 but the former Swan has been heavily restricted by injury in his first three years at Moorabbin.

“If it keeps being that he can’t play, time will start to burn out, but we are not looking at it that way,” chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said last month.

Ben King wants to develop his career as a forward where he has booted 65 goals in 39 games with the Suns.