Kane Cornes believes losing Ben King would be a disastrous blow for Gold Coast at the end of the 2024 season.
King, who is out of contract at the end of next season, has already been linked to Collingwood by Herald Sun’s Jay Clark.
Given King is from Melbourne, hailing from the Sandringham Dragons, it’s long been touted that he could pursue a move home if things don’t improve with the Suns, who are still yet to play finals.
Clark told the Herald Sun Footy Podcast that King could be the missing link for the Magpies who are now armed with cap space.
“He’s out of contract next year,” Clark said.
“As we said in Cap Space last year, I mean, Collingwood would just be licking their chops.
“They've got Nick Daicos, he's Batman, or is he Robin and Ben King would be Batman?
“They would be the best Batman and Robin double act in the competition of their age, if you know what I mean.
“So, Collingwood is probably the one sort of missing link in a sense that young prime key forward, they probably don't have on their list.
“Ben King, I mean, he'd be sitting back at the moment.
“How many years does he give Gold Coast?”
In response to Clark, Cornes said he wouldn’t blame King if he departed the Suns if they fail to turn their fortunes around.
“Already the speculation has begun about King looking for the exit door,” Cornes said on SEN Sportsday.
“Jay Clark from the Herald Sun has spoken about the prospect of King joining the Collingwood juggernaut. What a disastrous blow that would be.
“King is into his third, two-year contract, and you wouldn't blame him if he departed when this one expires - just as others who are managed by Paul Connors have done previously.”
Currently sitting 16th with just one win to their name through five games, Cornes is disappointed with the lack of progress from the Suns and he’s not sure what the answer is in turning the ship around, which may be crucial to keeping hold of King.
“The murmurs on coach Stuart Dew's future have also started with some suggesting Ken Hinkley is certain to take over next season,” Cornes said.
“The Suns are going to get some short-term relief from the headlines next week as they play North Melbourne on Sunday.
“But that will teach us little, once again, we sit here concerned and disappointed with the lack of any progress with the Queensland side.
“I'm not sure what the answer is.”
While King would no doubt cost any rival club plenty in terms of both a trade deal and salary, the 22-year-old has yet to reach his best form in 2023 after returning from an ACL injury.
Through five games, King is averaging 1.4 goals, two marks and 6.8 disposals per game.
His best season at the AFL level came in 2021 where he booted an impressive 47 goals.