ST KILDA football chief Simon Lethlean has revealed the Saints have spoken to the management of Gold Coast youngster Ben King as the club fantasises about reuniting him with his twin brother Max.
Ben King, who the Suns snared with pick No.6 in last year's Telstra AFL National Draft – two selections behind Max – is set to honour the final year of his contract with Gold Coast.
I think anyone who was going to draft Max would like Ben to join him at some stage because they're both elite talent - Simon Lethlean
However, the Saints will look to pounce if the key forward doesn't recommit to the Suns next year.
Gold Coast forward Ben King in action in round 22. Picture: AFL Photos
Ben King was impressive in his debut season, playing 14 games and kicking 17 goals from limited opportunities in the team that finished on the bottom.
The possibility of two-metre-tall twins playing in tandem in attack is s mouth-watering prospect for the Saints.
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"We've spoken to (Ben's) management because his brother is managed by the same company and we see his parents regularly, so we often check in on how Ben is," Lethlean told Telstra AFL Trade Radio on Monday morning.
"That's a pretty clear-cut one – Ben is playing at Gold Coast next year, and if he doesn't sign and looks to move next year we'll talk to him.
"We're conscious he's a contracted player, he's made it clear he's playing at Gold Coast.
"We look forward to seeing if Max is faster than he is, because he reckons he is …
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"I think anyone who was going to draft Max would like Ben to join him at some stage because they're both elite talent, hard-to-find players of that ilk. So if he wants to join Max and we can get that done at some stage that'd be terrific.
"We drafted Max for Max, but it's obviously a romantic thought to have twins playing together. It happens occasionally – if it happens for the Saints it'd be unbelievable."
Lethlean also said:
• He found it "particularly offensive" when it was suggested he'd helped broker a deal for his close friend Brad Scott to take over as St Kilda coach when Alan Richardson was still in the job. Lethlean said the Saints had spoken to Scott but he'd had "better knowledge than most" that the former North Melbourne coach needed a break.
• The Saints had offered Fremantle wingman Brad Hill a five-year contract, and "might have to" part with their first pick at No.6.
• The club was hopeful of securing Swans runner Zak Jones, who has indicated he wants to relocate to Moorabbin.
• The Saints would consider granting four-time club champion Jack Steven a trade to Geelong if it was in the best interests of the club.
• He'd like key forward Josh Bruce to fulfil the last year of his contract, but if he accepts a deal from the Western Bulldogs it would take more than the Dogs' pick 32 to complete the trade.
• The Saints are interested in Richmond's 2017 premiership small forward Dan Butler, who "would be pretty handy under the roof in our front half".
• Restricted free agent Jack Newnes is assessing his options about his future.
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