In American sports terms, the ruckman is Geelong's franchise player, and to hear the Cats are delaying talks with an All-Australian and a best-and-fairest winner leaves me gobsmacked.

Although King is not out of contract until the end of next season, I would be signing him as soon as possible.

The Cats shouldn't be waiting until the end of the year, as Cats' boss Brian Cook said.

What happens if terms can't be agreed to by both parties then or next year?

Some AFL clubs will have enough room in their salary cap at the end of 2003 to grab one of the league's best ruckmen.

I think Geelong is banking on King's heart being in Geelong, therefore they have deferred talks.

But they shouldn't - just sign him up now.

King is a kid who is Geelong through and through. Reward him with what he deserves.

Steven King should be signed as a Cat for life.

STILL on the topic of Geelong ruckmen, I really feel for Peter Street at the moment.

With King dominating around the ground, there is little Street can offer the team now.

He is not strong enough to go forward and take the big marks that a key forward can grab.

When he achieves that, he will be a valued contributor to Geelong. But he is not getting enough ground time to cement his Cats spot.

I am sure all clubs will be eyeing him off come the end of the season unless Geelong shows faith.

But we can't knock the coaching staff, because the club has one of the league's best ruckmen in King.