Ben King Backflips on Gold Coast, Nominates Hawthorn for 2027 Season

Gold Coast Suns spearhead Ben King has stunned the AFL by nominating Hawthorn as his preferred destination for the 2027 season, reversing a lucrative long-term offer from the Suns. The 27-year-old’s dramatic backflip comes barely two months after he told media he loved the club and saw his future in Queensland. King is expected to sign a six-year deal with the Hawks, taking him until the end of 2032.

King’s stunning reversal after weeks of commitment

In May 2026, Ben King publicly insisted he intended to remain at Gold Coast and saw his future with the Suns. Multiple sources have now confirmed his position shifted significantly in recent weeks. According to The Age, King will reject the Suns’ lucrative long-term offer and nominate Hawthorn instead. Gold Coast has not yet officially been told of King’s intention to leave.

Hawthorn’s forward line puzzle with three key targets

Hawthorn is building a crowded forward line around King. Mitch Lewis has recommitted to the Hawks on a long-term deal after rejecting rival interest from Collingwood. Jack Gunston, 34, has signed a one-year extension and kicked 40 goals in 12 games this season. Hawks coach Sam Mitchell plans to move Lewis further up the ground, allowing King to lead from the goal square.

Hawks hunting midfielders to service the forward line

Sam Mitchell’s team is now targeting at least one star midfielder to deliver the ball to King and Lewis. Essendon’s Zach Merrett and Gold Coast’s Bailey Humphrey are firmly in their sights. Merrett will almost certainly get his wish to move, while Humphrey is also being aggressively hunted by Melbourne. The Hawks believe this combination can challenge for a premiership in 2027.

Gold Coast’s troubled season behind the scenes

The Suns have endured troubling times on and off the field recently. The club has suffered eight consecutive losses and faces off-field tensions. King’s departure would represent a major blow to Gold Coast’s list after investing heavily in a long-term contract to keep their cornerstone player. The backflip signals broader instability at the struggling Queensland club.

Final Thoughts

King’s reversal is one of the most dramatic contract backflips in AFL history. Hawthorn now has a genuine three-pronged forward attack, but managing the cap and game time for King, Lewis, and Gunston will test Sam Mitchell’s coaching and list management.

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