The trade target that King thinks could help Suns win the flag “in the next two years”

David King thinks that Gold Coast are only a player or two away from really making the jump to becoming a premiership contender.

The Suns are 3-2 so far in Damien Hardwick’s first season in charge as many young guns including Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, Sam Flanders, Mac Andrew, Ben King and others look to have taken the next step with their footy.

Add in a raft of new youngsters, particularly from the first round of the draft, and some gun senior players and Gold Coast have a list that’s almost ready to attack according to King.

One hole which he has highlighted is at centre half-back, but with their draft capital and no real need to continue picking a glut of teenagers, King thinks that they could trade for a senior defender who could make all the difference.

He pinpointed West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern as one player they could target given the key back is 32 and the Eagles are desperate for picks.

The veteran is playing as well as he ever has in 2024 despite his age as he averages career-highs in disposals (22.0) and rebound 50s (7.0).

“I think they're really only one or two spots (away from making the jump),” King said on SEN Breakfast.

“Can we track forward a fraction? If I were the Suns … they’ve got a heap of first-round picks. They have got draft picks coming out of their ears.

“But I think they need a gun centre half back. I think they need someone. I think they can win a flag in the next two years.

“What would you give for Jeremy McGovern? If they could get Jeremy McGovern at centre half back for two years, what that be enough to say, ‘Hey the backline could fall into place around him’.”

King thinks that McGovern could make all of the difference given that he thinks their midfield and forward line is already set for sustained success.

“The midfield is stacked,” King said.

“Their forward line with these three big beasts down there – (Ethan) Read looks terrific, we’ve talked a lot about big Jed (Walter) who just looks like an angry footballer and Ben King obviously has been the mainstay there.

“They throw Sam Clohesy in there and he's just taken to this wing role like no other. I don't think they want for a lot.

“I'm looking at this thing going, get McGovern, just get him.”

If the Suns did attract a McGovern-type, they’d join a backline that includes the likes of Sam Collins, Charlie Ballard, Mac Andrew and Wil Powell among others.