If four goals against a team on a five-match AFL winning run heading to finals isn’t enough to get Gold Coast’s Ben King a rising star nomination, Suns coach Stuart Dew doesn’t know what it will take.
As the Suns battled to break their long losing run in the final quarter against Essendon at Metricon Stadium on Sunday, King was immense.
In his 10th AFL game, King kicked three of his four for the match in the final term.
In the end, the Suns fell 10 points short to fall to their 14th consecutive defeat but Dew was adamant the 19-year-old forward’s efforts deserved further recognition.
“If Ben King doesn’t get nominated, they just mustn’t be watching all the games,” Dew said.
“He was on an All-Australian defender at times (and) he’s kicked four.
“He’s been regularly getting two or three or four shots at goal.
“So surely – surely – tonight.”
King wasn’t the only forward to earn praise from Dew.
Inaugural Sun Sam Day, who signed a new contract keeping him at the club until the end of 2021 season in midweek, celebrated with three goals in a strong display.
After having to force his way back into the Suns’ starting line-up when he fell down the pecking order due to injuries, Dew said Day had shown the resolve he wants at his club going forward.
“Sam Day, fought his way back into the side and recently committed again. He’s up for the fight,” Dew said.