Ben King has all but played his final game for the Gold Coast Suns as he cut an emotional figure in the rooms on Thursday night.
Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
King kicked three goals in his side’s 23-point win over the Saints to finish the Suns’ disappointing 2026 season on a high.
But the teary scenes in the rooms post-match drew attention, amid reports linking King to a six-year deal at the Hawks.
Coach Damien Hardwick all but conceded King’s exit when stating the star would go “with the our blessings”.
“We love the guy – I think everything’s been handled really well. I’m getting emotional looking at him now,” Hardwick said as vision of King getting embraced in the rooms played.
There were emotional scenes for Ben King in the Suns rooms post-match.Source: FOX SPORTSThere were emotional scenes for Ben King in the Suns rooms post-match.Source: FOX SPORTS
“This is free agency.
“He’s done a stellar job for our footy club. He’s been a stand up guy. He’s had a terrific year first and foremost.
“Whatever the decision may be, we love him as a player, as a person.
“He’s been a strong person of our footy club and we just love what he brings.
“We probably know which way it’s headed – at the end of the day he goes with our blessings if that happens.”
Speaking on 7Sport post-match, King conceded his time on the Gold Coast could be done.
“Yeah, it could be,” he said.
“There’s still a lot to work with.
“Whatever happens over the next couple of months, I love this group of blokes. It’s been really special.”
Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph confirmed the Hawks’ six-year deal on the table for King, with Hardwick stating his side needed to add “a little bit of experience” to bolster young forwards Jed Walter and Ethan Read.
“He’s played his last game – it was so emotional,” Ralph said of King.
Leo Lombard embraces teammate Ben King during their final match of 2026.Source: Getty Images
“Even speaking to Noah Anderson there, said it had been a challenge – he’s his best mate.
“I’ve already reported he has confided in some teammates that he will leave. We know he’s going to Hawthorn.
“Something changed around the Darwin trip – they were so confident. They felt they were days away from securing him on a two-year deal.
“We know the family pull but all of a sudden he went radio silence in terms of his communication with the club.
“He will leave on a six-year deal of about $1.2 million. It could come as early as the exit interviews Monday or Tuesday.
“The club’s football boss in Craig Cameron says we’ll explore all of the options – I think what that mostly means is they’ll secure pick 7 as free agency compensation.
“They’re really keen to go to the market. Another experienced player to bring in.
“You might get two late first round picks from Hawthorn. You won’t get a better deal than pick 7.
“They know they need stars – but they don’t know exactly who that player would be to replace Ben King.”