Max Gawn predicts Tom De Koning will become one of AFL’s best players

Max Gawn has boldly predicted Tom De Koning will be “the best player of our generation” as the in-demand big man weighs up his future at Carlton.

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.

De Koning could earn upwards of $1.5m a season if he moves clubs.

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).”

Tom Campbell got the better of Tristan Xerri and could come into the mix for round 1. Picture: Michael Klein

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 Max Gawn predicts Tom De Koning will become one of AFL’s best players