AFL 2025: Carlton star Tom De Koning speaks on contract status
Carlton star Tom De Koning has opened up about his contract status and how he plans to “put his best foot forward”.
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Out-of-contract Carlton star Tom De Koning is in no rush to extend with the Blues, revealing he has “plenty of things to weigh up”.
De Koning is being targeted heavily by St Kilda with a monster deal in the vicinity of $1.7m a season.
The 25-year-old big man is in career-best form and has parked contract extension talks until later in the season.
“I’m focusing at the moment on just playing my best footy for the team,” De Koning told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“All that other stuff is playing out in the background and I’m just focusing on my football – the other stuff is between the club and my manager.
“I’m not putting a timeline on it, we’re comfortable with where everything sits and that will happen when it happens.
“I’m not in a different position to what any of my other teammates have been in.
“You look at ‘Crippa’ (Patrick Cripps), ‘Walshy’ (Sam Walsh), Harry (McKay), Charlie (Curnow), they’ve all been through it, and everyone is different.
“There’s plenty of things to weigh up – but if I can play my best footy then I’m putting my best foot forward.”
Carlton could still pitch De Koning a deal worth more than $1m a year but is not likely to be able to match the Saints’ “Godfather” offer.
De Koning says the details of his impending deal at Carlton or St Kilda is not front of mind but admits he has to work out what is best for himself.
“I haven’t thought too deeply about that to be honest. I’ve put myself in this position, so whatever gets offered, gets offered,” he said.
“That negotiation (the length of deal) has been between the club and my manager, (I am) kind of letting that play out.
“I’m very similar to other players. We’re all in the same position and we’re on a list where players are getting paid different amounts.
“You’ve just got to work out what works and is best for the club and for the player.”
Originally published as AFL 2025: Carlton star Tom De Koning speaks on contract status
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