Gold Coast Suns star Ben King has implored one of the AFL’s most promising talents to take a leaf out of a rival champion’s book, in his bid to justify the hype surrounding him.
Jed Walter was selected at No.3 in last year’s draft, but the 19-year-old’s maiden season was initially disrupted by a broken collarbone.
Now King has declared Walter would become a game-changing forward.
Jed Walter came into his debut season in 2024 as one of the most highly-touted prospects in the AFL.Credit: Getty
Cam Rayner, the Lions’ 2017 No.1 pick, was subject to criticism for six years - judged to have shown bursts of his potential, while failing to consistently piece it together.
That changed in 2024 in the 25-year-old’s premiership-winning campaign, when he achieved personal best hauls for goals (31), goal assists (21), disposals (414), clearances (64), inside 50s (98) and contested possessions (198).
King said criticism came with the territory of being one of the game’s vaunted youngsters.
But he backed Walter to thrive under the pressure, while taking heed from how Rayner found his mojo.
“Everyone develops at different rates … some guys might take two, three, four years to hit their straps,” King said.