Trade talk: Suns set to face biggest player retention battle since 'dark days'

Gold Coast could be set to face its biggest player retention battle in year's this off-season.

With so much high-end talent on their list, rivals are hunting Suns who haven't been able to play consistent senior footy, while other free agents are being enticed by options of returning home.

The biggest name of them all is Ben King, who, according to SEN's Sam Edmund and Tom Morris, is genuinely considering a move back to Victoria for family reasons.

Then there's Jed Walter, the highly-rated young key forward, who is reportedly being chased by the likes of Essendon and Collingwood.

Joining Walter as an out-of-contract but highly sought-after Sun is Jake Rogers... and that's just the tip of the iceberg as other clubs begin to circle.

"Gold Coast, I think they're facing their biggest retention fight since the dark days of the 2010s," Edmund said on SEN Breakfast.

"With Ben King, we've always said he has been likely to stay because personally he's wanted to stay.

"But as we know, and as is well known, there are personal considerations here relating to his partner, and he's a restricted free agent.

"Now that this has dragged on for as long as it has, it is of some concern to those at the Gold Coast.

"Damien Hardwick yesterday said that Ben has served his time and free agency is part of our game now. It's his opportunity to explore. So his language has probably changed a little bit.

"Then Jed Walter has not been playing. He's been in, then he's been out. He's met with four rival clubs in recent times. The Suns have improved their offer to him to five years, but it's not as lucrative as it's been reported. It's five years and somewhere around the $4 million mark.

"We'll fold in Bailey Humphrey here. He comes and goes with his intentions. He wanted out last year. He's still contracted, of course, but does he try again? Hawthorn, Carlton and Melbourne are right there for him.

"Joel Jeffreys is contracted, but they're coming for him. They're going to have a decision to make on Jamarra (Ugle-Hagan). Jake Rogers isn't playing and is out of contract.

"Next year, Matt Rowell is out again already after giving serious thought to moving back to Victoria.

"So, not being hysterical, but there's a lot ahead of this for the Gold Coast Suns."

In regard to King in particular, Edmund put his decision now at a genuine 50-50 in terms of whether he stays or goes, even if his preference is to remain on the Gold Coast himself.

"I think it's a 50-50 now, to be honest," Edmund said.

"Ben King's obviously a personal situation. No issue with the club, loves it up there, but the way it's conspired now, it's a bit of a worry.

"The longer it goes, the more worried you get."