Max King will call RSEA Park home until at least the end of 2026 after committing to a four-year contract extension.

After just 30 games at AFL level, the key forward has established himself as both St Kilda’s focal point in attack and a cornerstone of the club’s future.

The life-long Saints fan kicked 22 goals across 18 games in his debut season to finish second in the club’s goal kicking behind All-Australian nominee, Dan Butler.

“We’re thrilled to have Max commit to the club for the long term,” Head of List Management James Gallagher said.

“Max is obviously a talented player and is already performing at a very high level considering this is only his second year of AFL Football. He is also a very driven young man, and we are extremely confident he’ll only continue to grow into an elite key forward in the coming years.

“There’s a lot of external expectation that has been placed on his shoulders, but the way he’s handled it – even before he was drafted – is a credit to his maturity and diligence.”

Four-time Premiership forward, Coleman Medallist and now St Kilda Football Operations Assistant Jarryd Roughead is buoyed by the direction King is heading.

“Working alongside Max for the past two years, I’ve been able to see how much he’s grown and the work he puts in behind the scenes,” Roughead said.

“What’s really promising is how Max is influencing the game, either by taking marks, bringing the ball to ground or hitting the scoreboard, and we know the best is yet to come.

“These key position players take time to develop but overall, we are really happy with where Max is at and where he’s heading.”

King was selected at pick No. 4 in the 2018 National Draft with his draft year compromised by an ACL and subsequent syndesmosis injury.

The new deal will see King’s current contract, which expires at the end of the 2022 season, extend for four more seasons, making him a Saint until at least the age of 26 at the end of the 2026 season.