Gold Coast forward Ben King is reportedly set to reject approaches from rival AFL clubs, including Collingwood, as he moves closer to a new contract extension with the Suns. Multiple outlets report that King is not engaging with other clubs, limiting Collingwood’s ability to progress its pursuit. The reports indicate Collingwood may need to reassess its trade plans because the usual pathway of negotiating with both the player and the rival club appears constrained.
Across coverage, the central point is that King’s position is firm: he is effectively closing the door on external interest while he is in contract discussions. While Collingwood remains linked to King as a target, the lack of cooperation from the player is described as the main reason the club’s pursuit could end without a deal. The reporting also frames King’s next step as prioritising an extension rather than conversations with other teams, leaving Collingwood to consider alternative targets or strategies. The exact contract terms or timing are not provided in the summaries.
