Overview
- Hawthorn on Thursday re-signed Mitch Lewis to a four‑year deal and confirmed Jack Gunston will play on for one more season, strengthening its group of key forwards.
- Multiple reports say Ben King prefers a return to Victoria and that Hawthorn is the leading suitor, though his move has not been finalised and remains reported, not confirmed.
- Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick said the Suns have contingency plans if King departs and the club would either receive high restricted‑free‑agent compensation or could match offers and seek a trade.
- The likely addition of King would create a forward logjam at Hawthorn that places out‑of‑contract young tall forwards such as Calsher Dear and Will McCabe at risk of limited opportunity or needing to move clubs.
- Pursuing King could force Hawthorn to package future first‑round picks or players and would complicate any separate bid for Zach Merrett, changing the club’s draft and trade flexibility for upcoming seasons.