There were no more jubilant scenes on the MCG than that of the De Konings, as the big family mobbed Cats premiership defender Sam.
Sam De Koning, one of 10 children with brother Tom playing for Carlton, was surrounded as those dearest to him quickly fought their way onto the field in crazy scenes.
“The De Konings are going crazy – how good’s that?” teammate Cam Guthrie laughed as he saw the vision replayed.
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“The De Koning’s are celebrating – they are becoming a story amongst themselves,” commentator James Brayshaw added.
De Koning said the moment was what you “dream of” as young kid determined to play AFL.
“I saw them in the crowd, jumped up. That’s the moment you dream of isn’t it?” he said post-match to 7Sport.
“All the nerves, all the pressure, it all just comes out in that moment.
“To hug my girlfriend, my brothers and sisters and my mum and dad, it’s unreal.
“That’s a special moment.”
It’s not the first time the De Konings have stolen the show, with mum Jacqui leaving the All Australian attendees in stitches with her hilarious Bali tale.
Tom De Koning said he “couldn’t be prouder” of his younger brother and admitted shedding tears as the siren sounded.
“Watching him throughout the juniors, he was always so dominant,” Tom said.
“I’ve always been so proud of him watching him go through. He worked his way to this point – he’d only played one game before this year.
“This year, he’s just gone to another level and really settled himself down back. Couldn’t be prouder.
“Definitely shed a few tears when I saw him playing so well.”
The ever humble Sam De Koning played down his role in the Cats’ 81-point grand final win, claiming he “didn’t get a touch in the second half”.
But his spur of the moment decision to get forward quickly paid off as De Koning kicked his first AFL goal in heartwarming scenes.
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“That was a great feeling (kicking the goal). I don’t think I had a touch in the second half – it didn’t come to me! So I was like, I’m going to try and get one,” he laughed.
When asked if he was instructed to head forward, the young defender replied: “Nup, it was all me”.
“I got followed my opponent so I thought that made it fair – it all worked out for me,” he laughed.
“It’s surreal, a surreal experience.”
De Koning said he was “lost for words” as he tried to describe what the premiership win meant to players like four-time winner Joel Selwood and veteran Patrick Dangerfield – who finally got the missing piece of his AFL puzzle.
“Joel’s everything – Joel is the Geelong Football Club. You can’t put into words what he means to us as a team and a club,” he said.
“For me to play in a premiership with players like him, Tom Hawkins and Patty Dangerfield – it’s just unreal. I’m lost for words.”
