MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Max King of the Saints reacts after missing a goaduring the round 22 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on August 12, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
St Kilda and Max King are reportedly looking at extending their partnership beyond his current deal which expires at the end of 2026 despite ongoing trade calls amid a disappointing season to date.
Following a third goalless outing in the loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday, the football world has gunned for King and his lack of impact in games throughout 2024, urging the Saints to explore a move.
Coming off an interrupted pre-season and multiple shoulder reconstructions, the 23-year-old has failed to return to the heights of the 2022 season, where he slotted 52 goals in 22 games.
So far in 2024, King has kicked 19 goals in a dozen starts and sits under two goals a game across his 83-match career.
However, AFL Media's Cal Twomey reported that both parties are keen to commit to one another on a long-term extension.
At the completion of King's current contract, he'd enter free-agency status which usually results in multi-year deals to high-end talent.
Brisbane's Hugh McCluggage recently extended his time at the Lions for seven years at the same juncture of his career, as did Essendon's Andrew McGrath (six years), Sydney duo Will Hayward (five) and Ollie Florent (five) and Hawthorn utility Blake Hardwick (five).
Getting ahead of rivals attempting to pry King out of Moorabbin would allow the Saints to structure the contract as they see fit and plan their salary cap long into the future.
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Speaking on AFL.com.au's Access All Areas, Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd - who coached the King twins at Haileybury College, suggested that it could be a win-win if Max were to explore his options.
"I think it'd be a great chat for both St Kilda and Max to have at the end of the year, whether they think it'd be best for him to part company with them," Lloyd said.
"I'd say he's irreplaceable because who are they going to replace him with? But I think from Max's point of view, he'd have to consider whether he should move on and tries to leave St Kilda. They might not let him go, but it certainly should be a consideration for him.
"He's been frustrated because he hasn't achieved what he would have liked out of the game so far as a 24-year-old."