This unheralded group of Zach Guthrie, Jake Kolodjashnij and Mark Blicavs, along with the returning Stewart, seems to have pushed De Koning out of the picture. For Carlton, this presents a rare opportunity to pounce.
At just 23, De Koning is still one of the league’s most exciting young defenders. He had a breakout season in 2022, playing a key role in Geelong’s premiership win. His performance that year was exceptional. He finished second – to Nick Daicos – in the AFL Rising Star award and was a near-miss for the All-Australian squad.
Carlton’s Tom De Koning marks in front of brother Sam.Credit: Getty Images
De Koning’s height (204 centimetres), athleticism, reach, intercept marking and reliability in shutting down the opposition’s best key forwards made him one of the game’s most valuable young players.
However, since that breakout season, De Koning’s career has hit some hurdles.
Injuries and form slumps have made that 2022 dominance hard to recapture. Part of the problem has been Geelong’s decision to use him as a makeshift ruckman to answer ongoing issues with Rhys Stanley and Toby Conway. Forcing him to ruck increases his chance of injury and wear and tear on his body. It has done him no favours.
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A prime example was his round 15 battle against his brother, Carlton’s Tom De Koning. Despite his best efforts, he was beaten by his stronger sibling in ruck contests. It is hard not to imagine Sam asking himself why he has been played out of position instead of excelling in the role he was destined to dominate for the next years.
Carlton, on the other hand, are crying out for a player such as Sam De Koning. Weitering has carried the Blues’ defensive line for too long. Recruiting De Koning would ease the strain on Weitering – exactly the move that could transform Carlton’s unfulfilled premiership hopes.
There’s never been a better time to be a key defender in the AFL. Essendon recently paid a hefty price to lure Ben McKay from North Melbourne, paying $1 million a season, and Hawthorn have aggressively moved to recruit West Coast’s Tom Barrass and St Kilda’s Josh Battle.
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Carlton need to show the same ruthless edge in improving their list. They cannot afford to sit back while other clubs get stronger.
De Koning’s contract with Geelong includes next season, giving the Cats the power to block a trade request. However, with only one year left on his deal, it is unlikely Geelong would force a player to stay against his will, particularly if he is not in the starting line-up.
The Cats, traditionally aggressive in the trade period, have been predators in recent years, poaching players such as Ollie Henry from Collingwood, Tanner Bruhn from GWS and Jack Bowes from Gold Coast. This off-season, they are expected to add Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith to their list.
For too long, Geelong have been the hunter. It is time for Carlton to turn the tables by aggressively pursuing a big Cat.
De Koning’s situation is bizarre. He is a proven premiership player with elite attributes, yet he’s been pushed to the periphery at Geelong.
Carlton must seize this moment, throwing everything into a deal that brings De Koning back to regular AFL action and Carlton back to the grand final stage.
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