Tom De Koning on future, Max Gawn prediction he will become this generation’s best AFL player
Tom De Koning has touched on the tough choice he faces as the Blues star weighs up his footballing future. Plus, his reaction to Max Gawn’s bold call.
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Out-of-contract Carlton tall Tom De Koning says he appreciates having someone like Max Gawn in his corner following the Dees ruck’s call he could be the best player in the game.
De Koning was taken aback after the Herald Sun reported that Melbourne premiership captain Gawn would offer him $40 million and is on the verge of becoming “best player of our generation.”
But the soon to be restricted free agent said despite the compliment, he was focusing on his enjoyment of the game.
“That’s pretty special,” De Koning told Code Sports.
“I’m not sure how spot on he is there.
“But I just love playing footy, every morning I wake up and feel so grateful to be in this position.
“One thing I do love is playing with my mates, and I’ve got so many good mates at Carlton and we’ve got a lot of players who have played a lot of footy together.
“So I’m just super pumped about what the year can bring.”
As Blues fans and the footy world eagerly await the signature of the primed 25-year-old, De Koning’s demeanour remains relaxed amid the pressure of the outside noise.
The hybrid ruck-forward said the pressure of high expectations and an impending big contract decision doesn’t bother him “too much.”
“It’s a big decision, and they (Carlton) appreciate that,” De Koning said at a Superdry campaign shoot.
“Vossy (Michael Voss) has been really good as well in looking after me, and making sure I make the right decision.”
Simple things like catching a decent wave while he’s away from footy and a hit of Melbourne coffee keeps him in check.
“I spend a lot of time down in Torquay, on the surf coast, all of my family are down there,” he said.
“I love being in the ocean, love surfing, love doing that sort of thing.
“It’s a really good way to unwind and get my head out of footy, it’s something I’ve done since I was a kid and it works for me.
“When in Melbourne, hitting the cafes, coffee in the morning, love that.”
Fellow ruck Marc Pittonet has joined star forward Charlie Curnow on the Blues’ growing injury list with De Koning ready to take on the responsibility of the sole ruck role for the Blues.
“Obviously, it’s never good getting injuries and hopefully the boys are back really soon,” he said.
“I feel like I’m prepared to play either role, but now with 'Pitto' (Pittonet) going down it’s looking like I’ll be playing more ruck.
“So it’s nothing I’m not used to, I love being around the ball, challenging my opponents, so I’m looking forward to it.
With Carlton’s prized draft pick, Jagga Smith ruled out for the 2025 season with an ACL injury, De Koning says it’s a “next man up” mentality and they’ve got the talent to fill the gap.
“Both the Camporeale (Ben & Lucas) boys are going really well,” he said.
“They hunt the footy really well and just love competing so we love having those players around and I’m hoping they play early.
“Harry O’Farrell, he’s a key defender who’s playing really well, he’s still pretty raw but definitely has the talent.
“Then the old boy Nick Haynes, he’s such a good leader and helps with the culture of the club so much.
“He knows what he’s doing as well so we love having him around.”
TDK THE MVP: GAWN TIPS IN-DEMAND BLUE TO BE AFL’S NO. 1
- Jay Clark
Melbourne superstar Max Gawn says in-demand Carlton jet Tom De Koning is on the verge of becoming the best player in the game.
Gawn, one of the AFL’s greatest-ever ruckmen, said he had been blown away by De Koning’s athleticism, versatility and skillset for a 204cm big man.
“I think the guy is going to be the best player of our generation,” Gawn told the Herald Sun.
It comes as the Blues attempt to thwart a big-money bid from St Kilda to try and lure the 25-year-old from Ikon Park to Moorabbin at season’s end.
The Saints are prepared to offer De Koning more than $12 million over seven years — and possibly more — pending the restricted free agent’s form this season.
The bumper contract makes De Koning one of the game’s most sought-after players alongside North Melbourne onballer Luke Davies-Uniacke.
And Gawn, who is a premiership captain and seven-time All-Australian, said the Blues’ big man from Mt Martha was worth every cent.
“I think he is an absolute superstar. I have really bullish thoughts on Tom De Koning,” Gawn said. “I have played him a couple of times and he is worth everything. I would offer him $40 million.”
It is high praise for the Carlton big man, who has conceded he has a tough decision to make weighing up his love for the Blues against a life-changing financial offer from St Kilda.
It is unclear whether the Blues would be able to match such a lucrative free agency offer for De Koning, meaning the Saints could land him without giving up a draft pick.
Gawn, 33, said he faced a big challenge against some of the game’s up-and-coming ruckmen this season after earning team-of-the-year honours for the seventh year in 2024.
In an exclusive interview with the Herald Sun, Gawn said he had been slow to adjust to the new ruck rules last season, but had gone to work on new techniques over summer to combat his younger rivals.
“Some of them are very talented,” Gawn said.
“I’m not getting any quicker – I’m getting the opposite – and the new-age rucks are getting explosive and quick. Tom De Koning could be All-Australian and so could Kieren Briggs (GWS Giants) and they are completely different.
“But Oscar McInerney (Brisbane) is still a tough game, so is Toby Nankervis (Richmond) and Brodie (Grundy). That was a tough game (against Sydney).”
Melbourne brought in Tom Campbell as back-up ruck for Gawn this year after trading Grundy to Swans at the end of 2023. But Gawn said Aidan Johnson’s ruckwork had also caught peoples’ eye at Melbourne as a versatile and aggressive forward.
“I haven’t spoken to ‘Goody’ (coach Simon Goodwin) about playing two (rucks),” he said.
“He (Campbell) certainly brings some headaches (for the opposition) given his form because he did take out Tristan Xerri on the weekend, which is pretty good form.
“But Aidan Johnson who played the last quarter actually really impressed everybody with how he rucked, so he is a chance to be the forward-ruck.
“And Jacob Van Rooyen has done it for three years and done it quite well. Do we need him to stay more forward?”
“There’s Tom Fullarton as well, so there are a lot of guys who can play second ruck.”
Originally published as Tom De Koning on future, Max Gawn prediction he will become this generation’s best AFL player
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