Tom De Koning isn’t placing a timeline on what looms as a flip-of-the-coin, seven-figure decision between staying put at Carlton or switching camps to St Kilda.
De Koning met with Saints coach Ross Lyon in the off-season and a lucrative $1.7 million a year deal has been tabled, making the prospect of leaving Ikon Park an enticing one for the talented Blues ruck-forward.
Charlie Curnow, Tom De Koning, Harry McKay and Adam Saad sing the song after the Blues’ thumping win over the Eagles.Credit: Getty Images
Carlton are offering a seven-year deal, at just over $1 million per season, which will take De Koning to the end of 2032. The 25-year-old resisted the overtures of St Kilda, Geelong and Sydney two years ago to re-sign with the Blues in July 2023, agreeing to a two-year deal which took him through to free agency.
“[I’m] not putting a timeline on it at this point,” De Koning said after the Blues’ win over the Eagles.
“That dialogue is between the club and my manager.
“That will work itself out when it does. My main focus is on helping the team get some wins.”
De Koning knows the speculation will continue to grow until he makes a call, but he is doing everything possible to block it out.
Carlton’s banner reads “Stronger together” but at this stage it’s not clear whether Tom De Koning will stay with the club in 2026.Credit: AFL Photos
“That’s all outside noise,” he said.
“We try to make it really loud inside, so we don’t focus on the outside noise.
“I’m really focused on our team, and how we can push to become the best team we can.
“That’s with me playing my role on the field.”
Ultimately, De Koning’s decision could boil down to team success. Carlton finally broke through for their maiden win of the season, belting West Coast by 71 points in searing 34-degree heat at Adelaide Oval during Gather Round on Saturday.
De Koning is confident the much-needed victory, albeit against lowly opposition, can revive the Blues’ 2025 fortunes.
“Our fans are so passionate that when we do get a win, it lifts the whole town,” he said. “We’re really comfortable that our best footy can beat anyone.
“This is a great springboard for that.”
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