Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Ben King contract talks remain unresolved, with the Gold Coast Suns key forward taking his time on his future while he chases finals and leads the Coleman Medal race.

King, a restricted free agent, has been linked with Hawthorn Football Club after earlier signs suggested he was close to re-signing with the Gold Coast Suns. The decision matters because the 42-goal forward could shape one of the biggest AFL list calls of the year.

For more AFL injury news, read Brody Mihocek Neck Injury Leaves Melbourne Demons Forward Thankful To Walk Again, while official fixtures are available through the Australian Football League website.

Manager Says King Is Taking His Time

King’s manager Robbie D’Orazio is on the Gold Coast and told 7NEWS he was there to meet “a couple” of his players and “work through some things”.

“At the moment Ben just wants to play good footy,” D’Orazio told 7NEWS on Wednesday.

“He’s obviously leading the Coleman at the moment on 42 goals, so he’ll continue to do that ... (But) getting the team into the finals is his main thing at the moment and I think he’s doing a pretty good job.”

Pressed on whether King would stay, D’Orazio said the forward would not be rushed.

“Ben’s a deep thinker and doesn’t rush these decisions. He’s going through the process but as I said at the moment he just wants to make finals,” he told 7NEWS.

D’Orazio said he had not spoken to rival clubs about King.

Hawthorn Links Put Pressure On Suns

Tom Morris said Hawthorn Football Club had moved into a strong position if King chooses to leave.

“What you can lock in if he does want to go to the Hawks is that the Gold Coast Suns will match the bid and they’ll want three first-rounders and Hawthorn will have to pay up,” Morris said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.

Kane Cornes questioned whether King was worth a reported $1.25 million per season, pointing to his best-and-fairest record and wider match-day output.

“So run, run, run, Hawks, run away and don’t pay this guy $1.25 million,” Cornes said.

Dale Thomas added that King’s goal tally is strong, but said there was still debate around his marking, lead-up play and contested work.