AFL greats debate Tom De Koning’s value after selection shock

Carlton have dealt a rising AFL star a brutal reality check that left two greats of the game debating what his market value truly is.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Tom De Koning of the Blues warms up during the round three AFL match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Carlton Blues at GIANTS Stadium, on April 01, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

What’s the market value of unsigned Blue Tom De Koning?

It’s the topic AFL greats Kane Cornes and David King have debated following Carlton’s bold selection move to leave him out of the senior side for a second consecutive week amid the club’s indifferent start to the season.

De Koning was managed for the Blues’ loss to St Kilda and will now line up in the VFL this weekend, with the Herald Sun reporting the selection call is purely form related.

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It comes despite the 23-year old ruckman/key forward being touted as one of the most sought-after players set to hit the market, with Sydney and St Kilda among the clubs linked to him with reports earlier this year the Swans would be prepared to offer a monster long-term deal.

King, who’s previously said he’s “not sold” on De Koning, thinks the big man being out of favour will see his market value diminish. Meanwhile Cornes, who’s previously declared he believes De Koning will be the AFL’s next $1 million player, suggested rival clubs would still be willing table big offers to try and pry him away from Ikon Park, leading to a debate between the two.

Read the full transcript below from SEN radio.

De Koning is out of contract (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

King: “It’s hard to sign a player if you’re not going to play him.”

Cornes: “He’s going to have massive offers, I think he will.”

King: “He won’t have massive offers now, he couldn’t. What club could give him a massive deal on the back of these issues?”

Cornes: “You’ve got a 203cm key position ruckman that everyone would want at the age of 23 who has shown a lot of promise.”

King: “You told me was close to $1 million a year.”

Cornes: “I did, and I still stand by that. I think there will be a club that pays Tom De Koning between $80,000-$1 million a year.”

King: “Do you think that’d be a wise move? I know you’re all for it, but is it a wise move?”

Cornes: “I’m not all for it, I just think that’s going to happen. But no, I wouldn’t pay him that.”

King: “What’s his real worth?”

Cornes: “$400,000-450,000 on current form.”

King: “Which means he’ll get $600,000.”

After a discussion about Essendon and King labelling Darcy Parish a “total star” and $900,000 player, the Kangaroos great said he’d target the Bombers free agent over De Koning.

King: “He’s (Parish) a rare breed of midfielder that I think we’ve only got about 10 in the comp, maybe a dozen, that can win it on the inside then step out of traffic and create, and also be part of transition chains. I’d be buying Parish before I’d be buying Tom De Konining ... you?”

Cornes: “I’d probably still take the key position 23-year-old over Parish.”

King later questioned which performance from De Koning convinced Cornes the Blue was worth a big payday, posing: “Can you tell me the game I should go and watch where you saw it?”

Cornes: “Everything Luke Jackson does, De Koning does just as well. So if Luke Jackson is getting seven years at $900,000 (per season), this is what this guy is going to get, he’s going to command that. There’s a couple of good games in the ruck last year he played, I remember going on the Footy Show after one of them saying this guy will be the next $1 million player.”

King: “Isn’t Luke Jackson a cautionary tale?”

Cornes: “Perhaps, but clubs don’t heed cautionary tales, they don’t learn. Think of some of the numbers players get – the contract (Dan) McStay gets and the contract Aidan Corr gets. These are big contracts.”

King: “I don’t think $600,000 is as big a contract as you make out.”

Cornes: “I know, but there’s not many 203cm 23-year olds that can play ruck and forward running around – and there’s a lot of teams that need them.”

King: “But you’ve got to impact as a ruck, forward or key back. It’s all well and good being 203cm, but you’ve got to do something for the two hours of game day. The fact he’s not even in the team surely knocks around his price.”

Cornes: “It doesn’t help ... I’m already hearing seven years at Sydney (for De Koning), all the Saints fans are all over him, they want him. He will not be struggling for a mule at the end of this year. He’s going to get a big, long-term deal, I’m certain of it.”

King: “I’m going to say he will stay on a far reduced contract than those numbers you’re throwing up.”

Cornes: “I don’t know if he’ll leave, I’m just saying the offers will be there for him to leave and he’ll ave a hard choice to make.”

Originally published as AFL greats debate Tom De Koning’s value after selection shock