AFL 2024: Geelong defender Sam De Koning says Cats are hungry to return to finals as he eyes improved year
Like Geelong as a whole, Sam De Koning struggled with injuries last season.. But after a strong preparation from him and his teammates, the Cats are eyeing a return to their 2022 success.
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Geelong key defender Sam De Koning says the Cats are “super hungry” to return to the finals and the premiership dais after what he described as a disappointing season for the club and himself personally.
De Koning was one of the breakout stars of the competition in Geelong’s premiership year of 2022 where he was named as the club’s best young player, but the 204cm defender was unable to get continuity in 2023.
His injury troubles included an interrupted pre-season, a concussion in round three and a nasal and maxillary bone fracture that saw him return with a face mask reminiscent of Batman’s.
De Koning’s stop-start campaign epitomised Geelong’s season as a whole as they battled to get their best players on the park consistently and slumped to 12th on the ladder
But De Koning and his teammates have had a successful preparation this pre-season and are eyeing a top-eight spot.
The athletic 23-year-old believes he can top his 2022 exploits where he averaged 2.9 intercept marks and 6.9 intercepts per game.
Looking noticeably stronger, De Koning has added a few kilograms to his slender frame as he prepares for a date with St Kilda spearhead Max King next Saturday night in round one.
“I think (my 2023 season) just stems from the pre-season. Just had a few too many hiccups, missed a few too many weeks and just didn’t prepare myself for what my body needed for a full season of footy,” De Koning said.
“And it ended up with injuries throughout the year which was obviously very disappointing so I’ve got a lot of confidence in what I’ve been able to do this pre-season and hopefully that puts me in good stead to put my feet below me and stay grounded and go up and drive my game to the next level.
“I feel like I have another level on top of (my 2022 form) as well. Personally I’m just developing my game in all areas, my frame and my fitness and I’d love to just be a good teammate and a bit of a leader at the club in terms of playing every game and doing what I need to do to play my role for team success.
“Disappointing year last year for myself personally and for the team so we are looking to bounce back and improve this year.
“It’s hard to put into words how hungry we are. It is obviously our No. 1 goal and No. 1 desire going into training, every single day we are always thinking about it. It is whatever we can do as individuals to prepare ourselves as best as we can for the year and as a team what we need to do to see ourselves at the top. We are super hungry and a lot of us know what it tastes like and it would be good for it to happen again.”
After keeping Peter Wright goalless in his Essendon’s half of gametime in the Cats’ practice match win over the Bombers, De Koning is looking forward to coming up against King at GMHBA Stadium in round one.
De Koning is the prototype defender to match up on tall and athletic forwards in the modern game and he is backing himself in.
“Round one it is always a hot start so being put against someone like Max King is really exciting and to be able to do it front of a home crowd round one, really looking forward to it. I’ll just prepare myself as best I can and do my best for the team,” De Koning said.
“I look at it as a good challenge, he is obviously one of the best up and coming forwards in the comp and he’s got so much ahead of him and he’s a good player so it’ll be a good test for me.
(The King twins) are obviously very powerful, very athletic key forwards so I’m a pretty mobile defender who can match up well against them so I don’t take a back step. I’ll move through the challenge and take it with both hands and see how it goes.”
He combined nicely in the pre-season with Jack Henry, who was restricted to 11 games last year with several foot injuries, and said it is a massive boost having him back.
“It’s huge Jack is such a great player and he’s such a great teammate as well. He’s nothing he wouldn’t do for the team, he is always there when you are out of position, coming over the top to help though,” De Koning said.
“It’s great having someone like him who is really trustworthy and a great teammate beside me.”
De Koning lives in Torquay with young Cat Mitch Knevitt who broke through for eight games last season.
With his flowing blond locks and relaxed demeanour, it should come as no surprise that De Koning is a surfer.
“I love my surfing, there’s a few of us that go quite a bit. Mitch Knevitt loves it, will go with him. We’re just right around the corner from the beach so it is a good outlet from footy,” he said.
“That’s one thing I’m looking forward to, last year wasn’t able to get out on the water at all so this year having that as a bit of a balance for my footy it will be great for me I think.”
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Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong defender Sam De Koning says Cats are hungry to return to finals as he eyes improved year
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