“St Kilda could not have done it”: Buckley stunned by Max King extension numbers

Nathan Buckley has given his thoughts on Max King’s six-year extension at St Kilda, tying him to the club until the end of 2032.

The Saints lost seven of 11 games in 2024 with King in the team, but finished the season winning six of their last eight without him.

Buckley feels they would have factored that into the contract, potentially getting the key forward at a discount.

“I think there is an argument that they are more versatile without him, which makes his signing even more interesting,” Buckley told SEN Breakfast.

“I think that would have been on St Kilda’s terms. And I think the caller would have seen that this is a show of faith in me and it’s guaranteed money in some shape or form, but it wouldn’t be at the highest level of salary.”

However, Tom Morris believes King would be earning around the $1 million mark per season.

“It would be close to $1 million, if not over per season on average,” he said.

“Look at all the players earning near $1 million in the league at the moment.”

Buckley was stunned to hear that the Saints may have forked out so much for the injury-prone key forward.

“Why would they sign him to that? St Kilda would not, could not, have done it. If it was $650,000-$700,000, then make you could sign him for six years,” the former Collingwood coach said.

Collingwood signed GWS free agent Harry Perryman at reportedly $900,000 per season, as an example of a new player in that pay bracket.

King has played 83 career games since being selected at pick four in the 2018 National Draft, kicking 159 goals.

By comparison, Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee, who was taken in the same draft, has played 129 career games.