AFL news 2023: Sam Docherty signs two-year extension at Carlton and talks the future of Tom De Koning

Sam Docherty is locked in at Carlton for another two years – but what does the future hold for rising star Tom De Koning? The former captain has a strong view.

Former captain Sam Docherty says he won’t heap “extra pressure” on off-contract star Tom De Koning about his future at Carlton after sealing his own new deal with the Blues.

Following his inspirational return to the game last season, Docherty has re-signed with Carlton until at least the end of 2025 to add to another chapter to his already uplifting comeback story.

Following Docherty’s deal, there is expected to be plenty of focus this year surrounding the contract talks of his teammate De Koning as the exciting 201 cm ruck-forward looms as a sought-after signature in the AFL market.

De Koning’s management has already said the 23-year-old was in no rush to finalise a new contract and he would likely delay talks until well into the season.

Fellow Blues’ ruckman Marc Pittonet is also out of contract at season’s end.

But Docherty said he did not want to pressure the rising big man and was more focused on extracting the best out of him on-field this season.

Will Tom De Koning remain a Blue? Picture: Phil Hillyard

“He knows what we’ve got and what we have been building here – he has been here for a number of years,” Docherty said.

“I think with these things, they are really delicate on guys’ futures and you have just got to let the process play out. You don’t know what conversations are having behind closed doors and we’re not list managers, we are not coaches, we are not footy managers or anything like that, we are just teammates and friends and I think it’s important that you stay on that line and let the process play out.

“If it gets towards the back end of the year and it hasn’t happened then maybe that’s when you might do it, but between now and then there is no point putting extra pressure on the kid.

“He is trying to play great footy for us and I’m more focused on that than I am when he signs on the dotted line.”

Docherty delivered one of the highlights of the 2022 season when he made his return in round one after fighting back from treatment for a second bout of testicular cancer – and went on to play every game for the season.

In a return to his best, Docherty, 29, averaged 28 disposals a game and was recognised for his stunning season by finishing runner-up in the Blues’ best-and-fairest behind Patrick Cripps.

“(I’m) excited to be able to have this year plus two more with this group and see where we can go and I’m pretty excited with what we’ve got,” Docherty said.

“Hopefully, we can get a flag and (I can) sail off into the twilight.

“There was never any doubt in my mind about whether I was staying or going, it was just a matter of the process and ticking it all off.

“I have been through a fair few uncertain times throughout my career and my life and I’ve been very lucky with the footy club how much they have supported me and helped me through all of those situations and to be able to be able to have that certainty moving forward, I just had a daughter as well, so I’ve got a few years to be able to show her that I can still play some footy, which will be pretty cool.”

Sam Docherty has re-signed with Carlton until the end of 2025. Picture: Michael Klein

As Carlton prepares for its season-opener against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday night, Docherty had confidence the Blues had laid a strong platform over the pre-season.

“We feel like we’ve made great gains over the pre-season in terms of our game plan, individually and collectively,” Docherty said.

“So we go in with a bit of confidence this year that we are going to have a really good year.

“Vossy’s (coach Michael Voss) first year we sort of laid a very basic foundation of who we wanted to be as a footy club and we’ve now had an opportunity to be able to field that throughout a whole year and then go and refine that over the pre-season.”

Docherty said midfield star Sam Walsh (back) was making gains on the track, but was still unclear when he could return.

“He looks great compared to what he did at the back end of last year, he was pretty sore and he is looking pretty free and he is out here on the track which is a great thing for us as a club,” Docherty said. “Hopefully we’ll see him back pretty soon.”

Dividing his time between the midfield and backline in his pre-season preparations, Docherty expected his role to be “fluid” this season.

“We’ll play around with it throughout the year and see where it all falls, but I’m open to do whatever the coach wants me to do and I’ll try and best it whatever that is.”

Blues set to go to ‘next level’ as star inks contract extension

Former Carlton captain Sam Docherty has signed a two-year contract extension with the Blues following his inspirational return to the game last season.

The Blues announced on Sunday Docherty had re-signed with the club until at least the end of 2025 to add to another chapter to an already uplifting comeback story.

Docherty delivered one of the early highlights of the 2022 season when he made his return in round one after fighting back from treatment for a second bout of testicular cancer.

The 29-year-old kicked a goal against Richmond in the Blues’ opening round win and went on to play every game for the season.

In a return to his best, Docherty averaged 28 disposals a game and was recognised for his stunning season by finishing runner-up in the Blues’ best-and-fairest behind Patrick Cripps.

Docherty, who shared the captaincy with Cripps for three years before the latter was named sole captain last season, said he was excited to see the Blues’ go to the “next level”.

Sam Docherty will be a Blue until at least the end of the 2025 season. Photo by Michael Klein

“I am so thrilled to continue my football career at the Blues,” Docherty said.

“The support Carlton have given me over the years has been exceptional, and I am eager to see where the next few years take us. This group is incredibly connected, and I have enormous belief in the group to go to the next level.

“The season is even more special for me as a first-time dad, it’s going to be amazing to have Ruby and my wife Nat in the stands supporting me.”

Carlton’s head of list management Nick Austin described Docherty as one of the “smartest footballers” in the game – and one of the most respected at the club.

“Sam is widely regarded as an integral part of the playing group, which we saw last year: he’s a true Carlton person and we’re thrilled to have him re-sign,” Austin said.

“Sam is one of the smartest footballers in the competition, and we are fortunate to have his experience and leadership covering all areas of the ground.

“He is also one of the most loved and respected players at the club, and the awareness and funds he has raised for Peter Mac over the last few years have been inspirational. We are very lucky to have a person like Sam at our club.”

The Blues face Richmond in the season-opener at the MCG on Thursday night.