SEN's Tom Morris has revealed the three Victorian clubs currently leading the hunt for Gold Coast superstar Ben King.

King, who booted 71 goals in 2025 and has nine through his first two games in '26, is out of contract at the end of this season, entering restricted free agency with a major career decision.

The Victorian-born key forward has spent his entire career with the Suns, and while likelihood currently suggests that the 25-year-old will remain in the Gold Coast, Morris has revealed that three Victorian powerhouses currently hold pole position external to a possible extension.

“Ben King is out of contract at the end of this year,” Morris told SEN's Locked In.

“I don’t think he has made his mind up yet. People around him would love him to stay at the Suns for another two years.

“I’ll give you a pie chart with the clubs. Gold Coast are still very much (favourites), slightly more than 50 per cent, but it’s not a football decision. This comes down to a lifestyle decision for he and his partner as well.

“Gold coast at 60 (per cent). Then I would have, equally divided, Collingwood, Hawthorn and Geelong. Three between 40 per cent. They are the three other clubs.”

Kane Cornes couldn’t help but wonder why King would consider the Hawks, and vice versa.

“Why Hawthorn?” Cornes questioned.

“They’ve got Calsher Dear, who, is not in the team at the moment, but will be very, very soon. You’ve got Mabior (Chol), and you’ve got Mitch Lewis.

“Do they need another one? I’m not taking Ben King over Calsher Dear.”

Despite the links to other clubs, Morris also reported that the Magpies remain confident that they will land a big fish over the off-season.

“Collingwood are confident that they can land someone, whether it’s a (Zak) Butters or a King,” he said.

“Geelong are always in the hunt for these sorts of players.”