Interceptor vs Spearhead: Why David King has Wilkie in the gun

Callum Wilkie needs to continue firing this weekend againts the Suns.

The St Kilda gun has been in stellar form to start the 2025 campaign and ranks as the number one interceptor in the competition, recording a season-high 85 intercepts.

However, the 191cm key defender could find himself lining up against Ben King at stages on Saturday, who has already bagged 28 goals this year.

With a win crucial for both team’s seasons, David King has placed Wilkie in the gun, demanding a superb performance against the Suns’ spearhead from the St Kilda co-captain.

“I'll tell you what I'm doing this week, I'm going with a man who's in ripping form, taking on a man who's in ripping form,” King started on SEN Breakfast.

“If St Kilda want to be the team that they aspire to be, Cal Wilkie has to get the job done on Ben King.

“Ben King's form up at TIO Stadium is terrific. He's kicked 2.1, 3.3, 4.1, and 3.1 the last four times he's been there.

“Wilkie's the number one interceptor in the competition, get the job done!”

The North Melbourne legend continued by exclaiming that there is a huge fall off in goal output from the Gold Coast squad after Ben King.

Christian Petracca, who has missed two games due to injury, is the second-highest scoring Sun with 12 goals.

King believes that if Wilkie can neutralise the impact of the 25-year-old then the co-captain can lead the Saints to victory.

“If you can get the job done on Ben King, he's kicked 28 goals, the next best is Petracca on 12,” revealed King.

“This is the (Jack) Gunston type discussion, but about a different team.

“Cal Wilkie, if you want to lead this club, get the job done.”

Ben King has kicked 2.1, 2.0, 0.2, 1.1 in his last four games against St Kilda, and is $1.58 with Sportsbet to kick 3+ goals.

Gold Coast v St Kilda kicks off at 7:10pm AEST at TIO Stadium in Darwin.

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