Ben King 2022?

[Impatient Sainter]

There will be a lot of talk throughout 2022 regarding Ben King's future.

Im hoping he has already committed to returning to play with the Saints following next season. The significant things we have in our favour is both brothers being mad Saints supporters, plus growing up nearby. Also they have no other siblings, so being twins they are very close. The appeal of playing with Max and returning home would have be too really tempting?

Obviously if he does want to come to us we are going to have to pay him at least the equivalent of Max - big $$$. The next question is where does he play? If he plays forward can one of the twins hold down the relieving ruck position or is he happy to move to CHB? Depending on how Sharman goes this year our forward balance may work out better with Sharman playing the 3rd tall position?

Either way if he wants to come to the club we have to make the trade, and worry about the positional details later. Id expect the trade is going to cost us, as clubs like Essendon and Collingwood will also go really hard. If we can get it done he will be a significant piece in the puzzle to us winning our next flag.

[st.byron]

If he wants to move and makes it clear that he's going to St.Kilda, the Druggies and other clubs wont get a look in. We would just need to make the deal happen.
Tony74 said in another thread that it's 6/4 on that he's coming to us.
I take it with a grain of salt. Hope he comes but no expectation that it will come to fruition.
Interesting to consider where he might fit into the line-up if he does come. Can we have Bing and Ming in the forward half? If yes how does the rest of the forward half look? What happens to Membrey? Will Sharman consolidate a spot this year? Bing to CHB?
Who knows. Whole season of footy before we come to any of that.

[saynta]

This sort of talk really pisses the current club off.

[skeptic]

I read somewhere that he’s amenable to playing CHB

[Sanctorum]

This will be the dominant story in the AFL in 2022, I hope it doesn't become a distraction for the club and the players, not to mention Ming and Bing.

[Wayne42]

Good for us if we get Big Ben but i'm hoping he re-signs with the Suns, like any club in the AFL the Suns need to retain their developing players in order to progress.

[Life Long Saint]

Good for us if we get Big Ben but i'm hoping he re-signs with the Suns, like any club in the AFL the Suns need to retain their developing players in order to progress.

They probably needed to keep Greenwood, too...But they screwed that up.
Compared to GWS, they have continually stuffed up themselves up. Their pinnacle was losing co-captains Lynch and May in the same trading period.
Hard to have any pity for them.

[Devilhead]

Very admirable to worry about the future of the Suns but seriously all that matters is for Saints to win Premierships

Come home Ben and be a part of a winning Saints Premiership side ...... time to live your dream with your brother and new team mates!!

[sainterinsydney]

I don't care about the progress of the Sun's. I'd happily take everyone of their A grade players for nothing. Do you think they have sleepless nights worrying about us? I want my saint's premiership

[st.byron]

Good for us if we get Big Ben but i'm hoping he re-signs with the Suns, like any club in the AFL the Suns need to retain their developing players in order to progress.

Surely you taketh the piss

[st.byron]

Good for us if we get Big Ben but i'm hoping he re-signs with the Suns, like any club in the AFL the Suns need to retain their developing players in order to progress.

They probably needed to keep Greenwood, too...But they screwed that up.
Compared to GWS, they have continually stuffed up themselves up. Their pinnacle was losing co-captains Lynch and May in the same trading period.
Hard to have any pity for them.

Was always going to be a tough gig. The Gold Coast is a soulless strip of commerce if ever I've seen one. Trying to plant AFL in there, in a rugby mad state was always going to be an uphill battle. I doubt they'll ever find any genuine sustained success.

[Mr Magic]

Good for us if we get Big Ben but i'm hoping he re-signs with the Suns, like any club in the AFL the Suns need to retain their developing players in order to progress.

They probably needed to keep Greenwood, too...But they screwed that up.
Compared to GWS, they have continually stuffed up themselves up. Their pinnacle was losing co-captains Lynch and May in the same trading period.
Hard to have any pity for them.

Was always going to be a tough gig. The Gold Coast is a soulless strip of commerce if ever I've seen one. Trying to plant AFL in there, in a rugby mad state was always going to be an uphill battle. I doubt they'll ever find any genuine sustained success.

Tougher than setting up the Melbourne Storm here in AFL mad Victoria?
The big difference to me between teh 2 scenarios is that the group behind Melbourne Storm were very good operators and seemed to know what they were doing.
I don't think we can say the same about those in charge of setting up the Suns.

[The_Dud]

There should be higher priorities than Ben.

[Saintmatt]

Good for us if we get Big Ben but i'm hoping he re-signs with the Suns, like any club in the AFL the Suns need to retain their developing players in order to progress.

They probably needed to keep Greenwood, too...But they screwed that up.
Compared to GWS, they have continually stuffed up themselves up. Their pinnacle was losing co-captains Lynch and May in the same trading period.
Hard to have any pity for them.

Was always going to be a tough gig. The Gold Coast is a soulless strip of commerce if ever I've seen one. Trying to plant AFL in there, in a rugby mad state was always going to be an uphill battle. I doubt they'll ever find any genuine sustained success.

Tougher than setting up the Melbourne Storm here in AFL mad Victoria?
The big difference to me between teh 2 scenarios is that the group behind Melbourne Storm were very good operators and seemed to know what they were doing.
I don't think we can say the same about those in charge of setting up the Suns.

Fair comparison. Yep, John Ribot etc were absolute guns having pretty much set-up Brisbane Broncos from scratch and were hired as a collective to do the same for NewsCorp in Melbourne with the Storm. Meanwhile - inaugural Suns CEO Travis Auld who set-up and presided over the clsuterfvck that is the Suns ... was rewarded with a gig back at AFL House. Most non-boys club operators would never get another job in Australia after that but no - not in the AFL!

All you need to know is the that Melbourne Storm were eventually bought by smart private equity money - the AFL couldn't give the Suns away if they tried.

[Banger9798]

Good for us if we get Big Ben but i'm hoping he re-signs with the Suns, like any club in the AFL the Suns need to retain their developing players in order to progress.

Uuuuhhh come again?

[st.byron]

Good for us if we get Big Ben but i'm hoping he re-signs with the Suns, like any club in the AFL the Suns need to retain their developing players in order to progress.

They probably needed to keep Greenwood, too...But they screwed that up.
Compared to GWS, they have continually stuffed up themselves up. Their pinnacle was losing co-captains Lynch and May in the same trading period.
Hard to have any pity for them.

Was always going to be a tough gig. The Gold Coast is a soulless strip of commerce if ever I've seen one. Trying to plant AFL in there, in a rugby mad state was always going to be an uphill battle. I doubt they'll ever find any genuine sustained success.

Tougher than setting up the Melbourne Storm here in AFL mad Victoria?
The big difference to me between teh 2 scenarios is that the group behind Melbourne Storm were very good operators and seemed to know what they were doing.
I don't think we can say the same about those in charge of setting up the Suns.

I think that's partly it. But more so that ingrained in Melbourne's culture is the love of sport. The tribal culture of VFL/AFL may be significantly diluted from the days of suburban home grounds, but that cultural narrative of following a team through thick and thin with commitment still runs deep. The Gold Coast, as far as I can tell, has sfa sporting history or roots. Surfing, iron man maybe, but it hasn't got tribalism and committed team affiliation bred into it. It's sporting history is shallow and scanty at best. Challenging ground to try and plant the seeds of a foreign game into.

[Yorkeys]

AFL will move mountains to make sure Ben stays at GC and Brad Scott is probably a man that can make that happen, as well as guide GC management to get their act together.

What might be to our advantage however is if Malcolm Blight gets involved. He has a track record of stuffing the GC with his interventions and board/management roles - seems hopeless as an administrator.

I am in GT's camp when it comes to seeing Blighty as an eccentric do nothing in regards to coaching and administering, relying on a reputation as a great player (well deserved) an unlucky failed coach of great Geelong sides - possibly unfair but eminently arguable except for the unlucky part; his luck came when he absolutely arsed it with Adelaide in '97/'98 (sour grapes, yes but doesn't mean I am incorrect).

I have absolute faith in Gags but don't see how we will be able to afford Ben and still be true to our current list/development trajectory and not get the AFL badly offside.
Unless Blighty gets involved. Go Mal, make Ben your special project - he will beg to come home.

[Devilhead]

Gold Coast should be done away with ... AFL need to swallow their pride, admit its been a failed venture and replace them with a Tassie team .... the pain and embarrasment will soon subside

[shanegrambeau]

Gold Coast should be done away with ... AFL need to swallow their pride, admit its been a failed venture and replace them with a Tassie team .... the pain and embarrasment will soon subside

This!!

Times 100!!!

If the AFL wants a presence in Queensland and wants to keep the Brisbane thing....(and it 'aint gonna happen but just sayin...)

Brisbane go back to being Bears or some other mascot

Gold Coast Move to Rockhampton...and be the Fitzroy River "rockies"..in Fitzroy colours. Straight swap, nobody will notice.
Rockhampton has its
a) famous Fitzroy River
b) an AFL footy heritage that goes back to pre-war days
c) is an 'old salt' town. It isn't some glamorous highrise, casino, tropical 1970s paradise. It is meatworks, railways, copper mines, coal trains and a classic old Queensland. It has soul.

[ausfatcat]

Good idea give a AFL team to a town of 80k because it has a river called fitzroy great business case there, I am sure they could raise the 5k a year for the banners but beyond that......

[bangaulegend]

IMO Ben King would give us a massive advantage to win a flag .Just knowing your playing with your sibling with the team you grew up supporting that have been deprived of a Premiership for almost 60 years & you could possibly be the link that gets us there . I dream of this every day & if he is gettable just get it done

[older saint]

As mentioned here will be the talking point of 2022.

I am sure in his head as we stand today he has idea but that can change. So many variables at play:
- Come home factor
- Alister Clarkson
- Success of GC this season
- Ability to be be part of a young core and make history
- Does he want to play CHB or part ruck?
- St Kilda's form in 2022

As have said before from a list position tall forward is not an area we lack in so as it stands today not an ideal fit . That said IF someone of quality says they want to come then you need to make it happen - especially with his brother there you don't want to piss both off and end up with nothing.

Even as uncontracted player i can see it will cost 2 first round picks, likely 2022 & 2023.

[Gershwin]

As mentioned here will be the talking point of 2022.

I am sure in his head as we stand today he has idea but that can change. So many variables at play:
- Come home factor
- Alister Clarkson
- Success of GC this season
- Ability to be be part of a young core and make history
- Does he want to play CHB or part ruck?
- St Kilda's form in 2022

As have said before from a list position tall forward is not an area we lack in so as it stands today not an ideal fit . That said IF someone of quality says they want to come then you need to make it happen - especially with his brother there you don't want to piss both off and end up with nothing.

Even as uncontracted player i can see it will cost 2 first round picks, likely 2022 & 2023.

I’m not so sure there are so many variables.
It may be a matter of ‘I want to live in Melbourne and play with St Kilda. Make it happen guys’.

[skeptic]

Good for us if we get Big Ben but i'm hoping he re-signs with the Suns, like any club in the AFL the Suns need to retain their developing players in order to progress.

They probably needed to keep Greenwood, too...But they screwed that up.
Compared to GWS, they have continually stuffed up themselves up. Their pinnacle was losing co-captains Lynch and May in the same trading period.
Hard to have any pity for them.

Was always going to be a tough gig. The Gold Coast is a soulless strip of commerce if ever I've seen one. Trying to plant AFL in there, in a rugby mad state was always going to be an uphill battle. I doubt they'll ever find any genuine sustained success.

Tougher than setting up the Melbourne Storm here in AFL mad Victoria?
The big difference to me between teh 2 scenarios is that the group behind Melbourne Storm were very good operators and seemed to know what they were doing.
I don't think we can say the same about those in charge of setting up the Suns.

I think that's partly it. But more so that ingrained in Melbourne's culture is the love of sport. The tribal culture of VFL/AFL may be significantly diluted from the days of suburban home grounds, but that cultural narrative of following a team through thick and thin with commitment still runs deep. The Gold Coast, as far as I can tell, has sfa sporting history or roots. Surfing, iron man maybe, but it hasn't got tribalism and committed team affiliation bred into it. It's sporting history is shallow and scanty at best. Challenging ground to try and plant the seeds of a foreign game into.

I’ll add to this… was a no BS set up right from the induction

They picked a unique colour scheme and set up to something Melbourne has always banged on about (4 seasons in a day - not that one cares that much), the mascot kind of looked like a Bushranger, which was more well thought of at the time
United all of Victoria under one banner

AFL style song that is pretty decent

Nice little ground

A bunch of serious NRL players of the time… struggle to remember them all now but Lazarus, Kimmorley, Geyer, Bay, Kearns

Very clear message from the outside that this team was here to be a success and no bull$&@ing around


Compare that to GC - lame colours, ridiculously cutesy BS logo - we’re the Suns… there’s one sun here

Niche market

Cringe worthy theme song

Plethora of absurd advantages in picks/home games, salary cap etc to gift them a flag
Paid millions of dollars to buy the biggest star of the comp who clearly saw the whole thing as nothing more than a cash grab and left when he could

That joke recruiting of Folau

And endless praising and positive PR for something that stands for nothing, that no one of any value/quality is interested or passionate in and is drowned in money and advantages whilst others like us have to do more with less

It’s like a novelty team

At least GWS was smart enough to actually get some ppl there that were passionate about the club

[Wayne42]

Good for us if we get Big Ben but i'm hoping he re-signs with the Suns, like any club in the AFL the Suns need to retain their developing players in order to progress.

They probably needed to keep Greenwood, too...But they screwed that up.
Compared to GWS, they have continually stuffed up themselves up. Their pinnacle was losing co-captains Lynch and May in the same trading period.
Hard to have any pity for them.

Was always going to be a tough gig. The Gold Coast is a soulless strip of commerce if ever I've seen one. Trying to plant AFL in there, in a rugby mad state was always going to be an uphill battle. I doubt they'll ever find any genuine sustained success.

Tougher than setting up the Melbourne Storm here in AFL mad Victoria?
The big difference to me between teh 2 scenarios is that the group behind Melbourne Storm were very good operators and seemed to know what they were doing.
I don't think we can say the same about those in charge of setting up the Suns.

I think that's partly it. But more so that ingrained in Melbourne's culture is the love of sport. The tribal culture of VFL/AFL may be significantly diluted from the days of suburban home grounds, but that cultural narrative of following a team through thick and thin with commitment still runs deep. The Gold Coast, as far as I can tell, has sfa sporting history or roots. Surfing, iron man maybe, but it hasn't got tribalism and committed team affiliation bred into it. It's sporting history is shallow and scanty at best. Challenging ground to try and plant the seeds of a foreign game into.

I’ll add to this… was a no BS set up right from the induction

They picked a unique colour scheme and set up to something Melbourne has always banged on about (4 seasons in a day - not that one cares that much), the mascot kind of looked like a Bushranger, which was more well thought of at the time
United all of Victoria under one banner

AFL style song that is pretty decent

Nice little ground

A bunch of serious NRL players of the time… struggle to remember them all now but Lazarus, Kimmorley, Geyer, Bay, Kearns

Very clear message from the outside that this team was here to be a success and no bull$&@ing around


Compare that to GC - lame colours, ridiculously cutesy BS logo - we’re the Suns… there’s one sun here

Niche market

Cringe worthy theme song

Plethora of absurd advantages in picks/home games, salary cap etc to gift them a flag
Paid millions of dollars to buy the biggest star of the comp who clearly saw the whole thing as nothing more than a cash grab and left when he could

That joke recruiting of Folau

And endless praising and positive PR for something that stands for nothing, that no one of any value/quality is interested or passionate in and is drowned in money and advantages whilst others like us have to do more with less

It’s like a novelty team

At least GWS was smart enough to actually get some ppl there that were passionate about the club

Folau didn't play for the Suns.