David Schwarz believes Max King should look at getting out of St Kilda for the good of his career.
There has been plenty of commentary on the Saints forward in recent days and Schwarz has joined the chorus.
He believes the 23-year-old would flourish elsewhere, away from the defensive approach undertaken by Saints coach Ross Lyon.
“Poor Max,” the former Melbourne star began on SEN WA Breakfast.
“If Max King was smart he’d do whatever he can to get out of St Kilda and find new horizons.
“He’s a good player, he’s not Doug Wade. But I think if he played in the right system he would be the player that we expect him to be.”
Schwarz pondered which rival clubs would suit a player like King.
He was asked about the form of Demons youngster Jacob Van Rooyen and that sparked a wild notion – could the Dees trade him for King?
Former No.4 draft pick King is contracted until 2026, so the Dees would have to give up a fair bit, but Schwarz believes it might be a risk worth taking given what he perceives to be as a lack of consistency from 21-year-old Van Rooyen.
“I think he’s a Scottie Pippen type, he’s certainly not Michael Jordan,” Schwarz said of Van Rooyen, who he feels is better suited as a second or third key forward.
“He’s a baby, he’s still got a lot of growth to go.
“This might make news but I would trade him for King. I would trade him out and find a player that you can build your forward line around.
“I don’t think you’d build a forward line around Van Rooyen. I think he’s a player that would be that second or third banana. He’s a good player, he’s getting better, but far too inconsistent within games let alone within a season. You might see him for two or three minutes then you might not see him for a quarter.
“He’s got good upside but with where Melbourne is, they’ve got a three-year window to still be able to be competitive at the very top. He might be someone that you do that to (trade out). You might regret it but it might be just what you need to be the final piece of the puzzle to have a tilt at a flag again.”
Furthermore, ‘The Ox’ Schwarz is confident King would be a hit in the red and the blue due to their absolute need for a quality key forward.
“If Max King came to Melbourne he would kick 60 goals a year because the ball goes inside 50 enough,” he added.
“If you had (Kysaiah) Pickett at his feet, he’s got (Kade) Chandler down there, Bayley Fritsch there, I think King would appreciate the ball coming in and a bit of maturity around him.
“A bit of class through the midfield, a ruckman (Max Gawn) that is going to support him, I think you would find that his football would go to new levels.”
King has kicked 19 goals in 12 games for the Saints this season for a career tally of 159 goals in 83 appearances at an average of 1.9.
Former Pick 19 Van Rooyen has booted 19 majors in 13 outings for the Demons in 2024. He has kicked 47 goals in 33 career games at 1.5 per game.