St Kilda spearhead Max King is on the verge of agreeing to a monster deal that will be one of the longest contracts in the AFL
7NEWS chief football reporter Mitch Cleary has revealed the exclusive details of the offer that is likely to make him a Saint for life.
“Right now Max King is signed at Moorabbin until 2026,” Cleary said about the 24-year-old forward.
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“But the club is in the final stages of ticking off a deal that would ensure he’s locked away until at least 2032.
“King is due to become a free agent at the end of his current contract but six more years — essentially an eight-year commitment — will mean he’s a Saint until he’s a 32-year-old.”
Cleary said deals that were six years or longer needed written CEO and president approval through the AFL
“So it’s set to be complete in coming weeks and could even include a trigger to take him to 2033.”
King has had little luck during his 83-game AFL career, often battling various injuries and managing just 23 games in the past two seasons.
But he was taken with pick 4 in the 2018 draft and it is widely thought his upside is still huge.
Other players with huge long-term deals include Gold Coast’s Mac Andrew (he has a contract that should keep him at the Suns until 2034), Port star Connor Rozee, Giants gun Sam Taylor and Bulldogs high-flyer Aaron Naughton (all signed until 2032).
Cleary said it was a busy time at the Saints who were currently in talks with Brad Crouch on a potential payout for his contract next year.
“There’s no pressure on a retirement call but he is dealing with a degenerative knee injury,” Cleary said.
Crouch only managed one senior match this year — in Round 1 — before spending time in the VFL due to a persistent knee injury.
Cleary also said Crouch “appears to have started a new job” as an executive at investment management company Colliers.
“We are excited to welcome Brad Crouch to the Melbourne North West Industrial & Logistics team in the role of Executive,” the company said in a little bio.
“Having enjoyed a stellar career playing AFL for the Adelaide and St Kilda Football Clubs, Brad has always had a keen interest in property currently dedicating some of his free time to broadening his skills in the commercial property sector in readiness for his new role.
“Brad is a valuable addition to Industrial & Logistics and we look forward to welcoming him to the North West Team.”
If Crouch does retire, it will bring an end to a 161-game career.