Carlton is increasingly confident it can retain one of the hottest uncontracted stars in the competition.
Plus Melbourne’s pitch to Kysaiah Pickett as a call on his future looms.
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PICKETT POISED TO MAKE CALL ON FUTURE SOON AFTER DEES’ MOVE
Melbourne asked former player and Norm Smith Medallist Byron Pickett to be part of its presentation to Kysaiah Pickett — Byron’s nephew — in a bid to help convince the star forward to stay at the Demons, reports The Age.
Premiership Demon Pickett looms as a highly sought-after player, with the mercurial forward uncontracted beyond this season.
While Pickett copped a two-game suspension in Round 1 for a bump on Bulldog Bailey Smith, he kicked four goals from 19 disposals as he justified the hype around his excellent pre-season on the training track.
The Age reported on Tuesday that Pickett was expected to meet his family and discuss his future when the Demons — and the rest of the AFL — travel to Adelaide for Gather Round. It was reported Melbourne’s financial terms to Pickett were “not a stumbling block”.
Demons big start too strong for Swans | 02:34
The same report also indicated that Pickett’s uncle Byron, who was a premiership player at North Melbourne and Port Adelaide, joined the Demons last month in urging his nephew to re-sign at Melbourne.
Pickett last year reportedly had interest from Port Adelaide, but The Age suggested the star goalkicker had no intentions on leaving the Demons while still contracted.
Pickett kicked 40 goals in Melbourne’s premiership year then backed it up with another 41 in 2023.
He’s played 63 games ever since being selected by the Demons with Pick 12 in the 2019 draft.
BLUES MOVE CLOSER TO SECURING PRIZED SIGNATURE
Carlton and Tom De Koning are reportedly moving closer to finding common ground on a new contract.
The 23-year-old, who has just begun his sixth year in the competition, is uncontracted beyond this year and one of the hottest names that could hit the open market in 2023.
De Koning has taken time to build into his AFL career, but has already received significant interest from rival clubs.
Geelong has been “desperate”, according to the Herald Sun, to unite De Koning with his young brother Sam. Meanwhile, Sydney has been prepared to offer him a lucrative eight-year deal, according to The Age, while St Kilda and even Essendon have also been linked to him.
But SEN and the Herald Sun this week reported the Blues were increasingly confident De Koning would sign a two-year contract extension to remain at the club. A new two-year deal would tie the ruck-forward to the Blues until he’s eligible for free agency, which is when he’d likely attract a significant salary should his trajectory as a player continue.
Three clubs chasing Blues star | 02:40
Speaking on his SEN radio program, broadcaster Gerard Whateley said a De Koning recommitment to Carlton would be “eminently sensible”.
“This is the bridging contract that I think gets missed too often with young players.,” Whateley told SEN.
“This is the two-year contract that adequately rewards what you’re showing, but doesn’t give you the full whack of what you’re going to be.
“Become that player. Stay with Carlton. Show us who you’re going to be and that will be declared by the end of 2025.”
De Koning has played 44 games for Carlton since being drafted with Pick 30 in the 2017 draft.
