Suns spearhead Ben King steps in for Jeremy Cameron for historic Origin clash
Updated . First published at
Gold Coast forward Ben King has joined Victoria's AFL Origin squad, replacing Jeremy Cameron ahead of Saturday night's clash against Western Australia.
After a 71-goal season and a runner-up finish in the Coleman Medal, King joins as the team's primary target inside 50.
King is one of five Gold Coast stars representing their states; he joins Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, and Sam Collins in the Big V, while Wil Powell will line up for Western Australia.
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Ben King celebrates a goal during the Suns' maiden finals campaign in the 2025 second semi final against cross-town rivals Brisbane. Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
In a statement, King described representing Victoria as a major career milestone.
"It's pretty surreal to get the call-up and represent Victoria," he said on Monday.
"You never want to come in off the back of someone else withdrawing, but I'm extremely proud and excited to get into camp and have the chance to wear the Big V and play with and against some of the best players on Saturday."
Cameron has withdrawn from the Victorian side as he continues to recover from the broken arm her suffered during last year's grand final.
The 2025 Coleman Medallist clarified that the decision was a matter of timing rather than overall fitness.
While Cameron has completed the bulk of his pre-season conditioning, he only cleared the final hurdle — full-contact training — one week ago. Fearing he was still underdone, the star forward opted not to risk a setback in the high-intensity representative clash.
A visibly pained Jeremy Cameron during the AFL grand final. Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images
He feels he is exactly one week of training short of having the "needed contact sessions" to ensure his arm is durable enough for a high-stakes representative game.
"While I've done the majority of pre-season, I only started full contact training last week," Cameron said.
"Ideally, with another week, I'd be able to get the needed contact sessions under my belt to play in a match of this intensity.
"I'm disappointed I won't be running out in the Big V this year, I know the boys will do Victoria proud, and I hope to get the opportunity to play in the future."
Cameron's return to full contact was hampered by a slow healing process following off-season surgery, where a metal plate was inserted to repair the fracture in his right arm.
Victorian talent Nick Daicos is also under an injury cloud after training with a heavily strapped left calf on Monday at Olympic Park.
The match will be held in front of a sold-out crowd at Perth's Optus Stadium, marking the first State of Origin encounter between the two sides since 1992.
The first bounce is scheduled for 7.40pm AEDT.
The 2026 AFL season begins on Thursday, March 5.
