Max King, an 18-year-old football prospect from Belmont, is on the verge of potentially realising his dream of playing professional Australian rules football. As the 2025 AFL Draft approaches, King hopes to hear his name announced as a new addition to the Sydney Swans, continuing a legacy established by fellow Cardiff Hawks product, Isaac Heeney.
Recently completing his HSC exams at Warners Bay High School, King has been preparing for this pivotal moment. “Heeney has been my favourite player growing up,” King expressed in an interview with the Newcastle Herald. The draft, taking place primarily on October 18 and 19, 2025, will determine where King begins his professional journey.
Starting his journey in Australian rules football at the age of nine, King transitioned from soccer and athletics to join the Swans academy in under 12s. Since then, he has been an integral part of the junior representative system, travelling extensively for training and matches. After overcoming an AC joint injury the previous season, King made his mark in the VFL with three appearances and showcased his talent in the Coates Talent League.
“I would absolutely love to play at Sydney next year,” King stated, reflecting on his desire to remain with the Swans. “The amount of time and effort I’ve invested with the academy, and the people there, is incredible.” He also noted that his ultimate goal is to play AFL football, regardless of whether he stays with the Swans or joins another club.
If selected by Sydney, King would follow in Heeney’s footsteps, both hailing from the rugby league heartland of Hunter and sharing a connection to the Cardiff Hawks. As a child, King frequently saw Heeney at local games, where the seasoned player would run water or provide support to younger athletes. “He’s a really good guy and I love spending time with him,” King remarked about Heeney. “He took me under his wing and made me feel comfortable.”
King, who primarily plays as a forward or midfielder, prides himself on his versatility. “I play everywhere. It’s one of my big strengths,” he said. His focus during the draft year emphasised a more physical style of play, marking a significant transition to the VFL level. Overall, he had a smooth season, participating in every match except one due to illness, a notable improvement after missing crucial games in 2024.
Reflecting on his previous injury and its impact on his development, King said, “Everything is fine with it now. It was really difficult missing the Futures game, but it taught me a lot about resilience.” He made his senior debut for Cardiff in the Black Diamond Cup at just 16 years old, following in the footsteps of his father, Simon, and older brother, Billy, who both played at the club.
King’s love for the sport stems from its dynamic nature, which he finds appealing. “I was first attracted to the free-flowing style of the game,” he noted. His ambitions come at a time when other local talents, such as Paul Hunter, who debuted with St Kilda in 2021, and Craig Bird, who won a premiership with the Swans in 2012, have also made their mark in the AFL.
As the draft date approaches, all eyes are on King and the potential paths his career may take. Whether he dons the famous red and white of the Swans or embarks on a new journey with another club, his aspirations remain clear: to succeed at the highest level of Australian rules football.
