The Gold Coast Suns have significantly increased their offer for forward Jed Walter, proposing a five‑year deal worth around $5 million, as concern grows over restricted free agent Ben King's future. Rival Victorian clubs, including Collingwood and Essendon, are also eyeing Walter, with offers exceeding $1 million per season. The move comes as the Suns seek to secure a key offensive player while navigating free‑agency turbulence in their squad.
Gold Coast has launched a stunning bid to secure its long-term future in attack, significantly upping its offer for emerging key forward Jed Walter in the wake of growing uncertainty surrounding restricted free agent Ben King.on Monday night that the Suns have increased their interest in retaining Walter exponentially in the last 48 hours, as rival clubs circle the former top-three draft pick and prepare to offer more than $1 million per season for his services.
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“The Gold Coast Suns have officially shown Jed Walter the money. They have offered him a deal around $5 million across five years, in the last 48 hours,” Ralph said.
“That is in direct response to the fact that there is uncertainty around Ben King, and the massive interest in Walter himself from Victorian clubs. “He had a deal of around two years, $750,000 on the table — they have recently upped that one. “Those clubs like Collingwood are prepared to offer him as much as $1.1 million, the other clubs were Essendon, who just met him, Carlton and Adelaide.
” The update comes at a fascinating point in the free agency timeline of his teammate King, who has long been reported as all but signed on under head coach Damien Hardwick until the end of 2028. The 25-year-old, who hails from Melbourne alongside his long-term partner, has had interest from Collingwood, Geelong and more recently, Hawthorn in the instance he did depart Carrara.
With a mid-season bye in Round 12, the Suns were hopeful of removing all doubt over King’s future during the mini-break. But as Ralph reports, they are now officially “worried”.
“Ben King had told the club, his management and family: ‘I am prepared to stay’ on a two-year deal around $2.6 million — he just wasn’t prepared to sign the paperwork,” Ralph said. “His partner has been with him on the coast for some years, they’ve been relatively happy as a couple . She’s been working in various capacities and is now studying on the Gold Coast. But certainly, she has shown some willingness to potentially move.
“The Suns must sign at least one of Walter or Ben King, or they’re back to the bad old days where they lost their co-captains in Steven May and Tom Lynch at the end of 2018 — that ripped the heart of his football club out. ” Walter has played 37 matches at the top level since the start of the 2024 season, and has kicked 43 goals alongside the likes of fellow key forwards King, Ethan Read and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan — as well as Jack Lukosius briefly before his move to Port Adelaide.
In response to Ralph’s report, three-time Richmond premiership player Jack Riewoldt was astounded at the Suns’ new offer for the 21-year-old.
“It gives me the sense that maybe they’ve given up on Ben King …why would you up your offer from two years at $750k, to five years and $5 million. “That’s an astronomical figure, for a player who is yet to prove to us that he can play key forward at the level. ” Four-time Hawthorn flag winner Jordan Lewis added: “They’re hard to get, I understand that. He’s a great athlete … you can’t lose them both. ”
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