Max King Draft Profile

Swans AcademyForward-Midfielder

#24

Max King

height: 191cm

weight:

D.O.B: 09-01-2007

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “A freakishly talented and athletic utility with arguably as much upside as any prospect in this year’s crop.” – Michael Alvaro

Among the many highly talked about Northern Academy talents slated to feature at the top-end of this year’s draft, Max King boasts a rare array of athletic traits. Many saw him to be the best player outside the AFL Academy intake and a potential top 10 selection coming into 2025, such was the upside he showed in such a limited bottom-age sample size.

An AC joint injury in 2024 (sustained while taking a speccy) was among the unfortunate contact injuries which kept King out of action. He missed the Swans Academy’s Coates Talent League stint and while selected for the National Futures game, was unable to take the field. A star turn for NSW/ACT’s Under 17 side was the main taster though, providing a glimpse into King’s brimming talent.

Having also kicked 30 goals in 12 games for local side Cardiff that year, the now 18-year-old got an early taste for senior footy. It made the step up to VFL level slightly smoother this year, with King playing three games in Swans colours. He finally got to turn out for the Allies too, memorably popping up with the game-winning goal and a massive hanger against Western Australia.

In all, 2025 marked a relatively full year for King. He had quickly put his injuries behind him to play out the Summer Series and Academy Series with Sydney, while also turning out for all four Coates Talent League games. Hailing from the Hunter catchment, he’s Swans supporter through-and-through and looks up to Isaac Heeney, with whom he bares plenty of resemblance.

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STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Athleticism
+ Power
+ Speed
+ Upside
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Finishing
- Footy IQ

If this entire profile could be narrowed down to one word to describe King, it would be 'enigma'. He's the type of player who can just as readily miss a straightforward set shot from 20 metres, then turn around five minutes later with four running bounces and a finish from 50. It's what makes the Swans Academy star so captivating, and he has shown both sides of the coin this year.

At the core of King's upside is his athletic profile. He is an all-round phenomenon, boasting top-end speed and a monster vertical leap to ensure he can dominate across the ground and in the air. At 191cm, being able to burn off opponents with raw speed and make it look easy is incredibly rare. Further to that, soaring to take speccies just as regularly means he's a genuine bums-on-seats type of player.

King ranked second nationwide for his running vertical jump (98cm) during preseason, and placed fourth in the 20-metre sprint with a time of 2.831 seconds. Both those results should comfortably put him on the podium at the National Draft Combine - if not top. The best thing is, they're not just numbers, they're highly translatable to his on-field performance.

When combined, those attributes make him a dynamic threat up forward. King has the speed to be a threat on the lead, working up the ground to help connect the lines. That's where his aerial ability comes into play, clunking clean grabs overhead and soaring above packs. If the ball hits the deck, he can just as easily mop up and tear away towards goal with sheer explosiveness.

Many forget King also has a strong base in midfield. His mix of size and power are difficult to contain, with the 191cm beast capable of standing up in tackles to buy time when releasing the ball. It's part of what makes him so versatile, with traits which are adaptable to every phase of play and several roles. Whether a second or third tall, wingman, or pinch-hitting midfielder, he can be a genuine game-changer.

For all his upside, King still has plenty of room for improvement. Even by his own admission, footy IQ is his greatest growth area. While capable of mercurial feats, King can also be erratic and than impacts his end product. Adding polish to his decision making will in turn help his field and goal kicking become more consistent. It would also make him more predictable to teammates.

DRAFT RANGE: 15-30

SUMMARY:

There is no doubt that at his best, King has the talent to end up among the top 10 players out of this year’s draft crop. He still has a lot of work to do on refining his skills and footy IQ, but boasts an athletic base others can only dream of. Likely to land at the Swans, he offers a long-term cover for Isaac Heeney and should have the luxury of developing his game at a steady rate before entering the top flight. Other clubs will point to his upside as reason for a potential first round bid, with King surely too talented to last very long past pick 20.