Shock new detail emerges in $12m race for Blues star

An eyebrow-raising new detail on St Kilda’s high-profile pursuit of Carlton superstar Tom De Koning has been revealed.

An eyebrow-raising new detail on St Kilda’s pursuit of Tom De Koning has emerged, as noise over his future at Ikon Park continues to grow louder and louder.

Elsewhere, interest in a Port Adelaide superstar has skyrocketed according to a report, which would see at least several Victorian clubs attempt to bring him back to his home state.

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And for the second year straight, the Hawks are preparing to recruit two more stars — but this time, they’re from the same club.

Stay up to date with all the latest trade and free agency news from around the league with Trade Whispers!

EXTRA LAYER TO DE KONING CONTRACT OFFER REVEALED

Carlton star ruck Tom De Koning has now arguably surpassed Chad Warner as the most talked-about player yet to sign on at an AFL club beyond 2025, and as his output continues to grow, so does speculation over his future.

St Kilda’s lucrative offer for the 25-year-old is well-documented, with their $12 million price tag for De Koning bigger than any the league has seen before, should he sign on.

But as veteran journalist Caroline Wilson revealed on Monday night, the links between De Koning and the Saints may be deeper than just a contract offer.

“What we do know, is that the St Kilda offer is real,” Wilson told Seven on Monday night.

“Tom De Koning met Ross Lyon before Christmas, and the offer is seven to eight years at $1.7m dollars … I reckon now it’s down to Carlton or St Kilda.”

TDK met with Ross Lyon, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The 201cm tall currently averages 25 disposals, nearly 16 contested possessions and more than five score involvements a game this year, with only North Melbourne workhorse Tristan Xerri competing with him as the most in-form ruck in the league.

Geelong, St Kilda and Sydney are among the clubs to chase De Koning’s signature back in 2023, before he signed a two-year extension at Ikon Park.

If the All-Australian team for 2025 was to be picked right now, its first ruck would almost certainly be Tom De Koning.

And as his output rises steadily, so does his price tag for rival clubs circling him 💰

TALKING PTS >> https://t.co/1zcHuvuoNgpic.twitter.com/ixst712SxK

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) March 31, 2025

PORT GUN ‘OPEN TO TRADE’ AS VICS CIRCLE

Injured Port Adelaide star Zak Butters is attracting growing interest from several Victorian clubs, despite not falling out of contract for another 18 months, reports The Age’s Sam McClure.

Unsurprisingly, noise surrounding the out-of-contract Miles Bergman and recently-signed Kane Farrell has led to light being shone on the long-term future of Butters, who has two seasons in a row being voted the league’s Most Courageous Player by his rivals.

On Monday night, McClure revealed that Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn and Richmond are getting set to try and lure the 24-year-old away from Alberton and back to his home state of Victoria. Crucially though, the report revealed that Butters would be “open” to exploring a trade at the end of this season.

Butters, who grew up in Bacchus Marsh, has been sidelined for the last month after having minor knee surgery on the eve of the season. He last inked a new deal at Port Adelaide in December of 2023, and will become a restricted free agent this time next year, should he remain unsigned at the Power until then.

Butters is being chased by several Victorian clubs. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The 119-gamer’s relationship with outgoing coach Ken Hinkley is well-documented, however McClure’s report notes that neither party are right now ready for pen to hit paper on an Alberton extension.

“There are now four Victorian clubs who are aware that his head may be turned not next year during free agency, but at the end of this season,” McClure told Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.

“There are a myriad of reasons why they think that the Bacchus Marsh boy may do that. One, that the Power may not be the powerhouse that Zak Butters was hoping they would be going into this year. The second crucial element of this, is that Zak Butters is one … who has developed an extremely close bond to Ken Hinkley.”

At the end of Round 3, Essendon (Picks #2 and 5), Hawthorn (Pick #3) and Richmond (Picks #4 and 9) hold the highest picks of the clubs flagged, while Collingwood’s first-round draft pick is in the hands of Gold Coast. The Bombers’ first pick is attached to Melbourne, while the Hawks’ came from Carlton and Richmond’s second first-round pick came from North Melbourne.

HAWKS EYE MASSIVE DOUBLE EAGLES RAID

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has reportedly met with West Coast free agent Oscar Allen to ramp up the club’s interest in the key forward, but the club is also eyeing star teammate Harley Reid.

Mitchell and his wife are using the Hawks’ early bye to take a holiday to Perth, according to reporter Sam McClure on Footy Classified, but while Mitchell was in the west he chose to meet with the top trade period target.

“It just so happened that we’re in Perth, we might catch up with an out-of-contract player,” McClure quipped.

The Hawks are going after Oscar Allen and Harley Reid. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“Whether you choose to believe that or not ... they’re getting in early for Oscar Allen.”

The Hawks have Carlton’s 2025 first-round pick to use in trades, with the Eagles already owning the Hawks’ pick via the Tom Barrass deal.

The AFL is yet to confirm the list of restricted free agents but Allen is expected to be part of that group, meaning West Coast could match any offer for their co-captain, or force a trade - or let him walk if it means they’ll receive a top-five pick as compensation.

But Allen is not the only Eagle in the Hawks’ sights as the ladder leaders target No.1 pick Harley Reid.

Ten’s Lachy Reid reported along with Mitchell’s meeting with Allen, the second-year star is “also a (Hawthorn) target and coincidently his (Reid’s) management was also in town”.

Reid is contracted until the end of 2026 with Essendon and Richmond, who both own two 2025 first-round picks, likely amongst the suitors should he consider a move back to Victoria “Essendon are the one that they’re talking about at the moment,” Eddie McGuire said of the likely Reid suitors last month.

“And my mail is they’ve got $2.5 (million) in their salary cap.

“I don’t know if it will all go to him, but they’ve got $2.5m sitting there.”

Originally published as Shock new detail emerges in $12m race for Blues star