Geelong young star Sam De Koning locked in until end of 2025

Already arguably the best young key defender in the game, Sam De Koning is not slowing down this pre-season as he looks to improve his game in one specific area.

Defender Sam De Koning has signed up with Geelong. Picture: Martin Keep/Getty Images

Budding Geelong star Sam De Koning will spend the summer working on his attacking output as he aims to improve “every aspect of my game”.

The key defender locked in a contract extension this week that ties him to the Cats until the end of 2025 but the 21-year-old is not resting on the laurels of what he called “the best year of my life”.

Sam De Koning is always targeting improvement. Picture: Mark Stewart

De Koning cemented himself as arguably the finest young defensive prospect in the AFL in 2022, in a breakthrough campaign that finished with a flag.

He said he was keen to pair his outstanding defensive and marking game with an improved ability to lead attacks out of defence.

“I go into every pre-season trying to improve every aspect of my game, I am my own biggest critic,” he said.

“I want to improve on my attacking ability and my ability to use the ball off half-back and really get involved (in attacking play) and fitness and strength will only help improve that.”

While his teammates jetted off overseas for holidays after the grand final triumph, De Koning found himself happily relaxing close to home.

There is no time to waste this pre-season for De Koning. Picture: Alan Barber

Having played 23 AFL games after appearing only once before 2022, the youngster was exhausted and in need of a break.

“Coming off two years of not really playing at all and then playing pretty much every game it put a strain on not only the body but also the mind,” he said.

“I’ve just been trying to relax at home with my family and friends and then I got away to Noosa for two weeks but other than that it was a good time to recover.

“I am feeling refreshed and motivated and ready to go for what the next season holds.”

While Cats fans have had the grand final on repeat in the past two months, De Koning has barely watched it back.

But he said he would keep a copy of the game “so I can play it for the kids or grand kids and tell them how I used to play footy”.

De Koning’s “responsibility” after signing new contract

Young star Sam De Koning feels a “responsibility” to help carry Geelong into its next era of success after inking a two-year contract extension.

Fresh off a breakthrough season that saw him finish second in the AFL rising star award and play in Geelong’s premiership, the 21-year-old defender has locked himself in as a Cat until the end of 2025.

Sam De Koning lines up the ball. Picture: Mark Stewart

De Koning’s signature was set to be the highest priority for Geelong next year, when he was due to come out of contract, given his status as one of the finest key position prospects in the game.

But the club has taken that headache off the table.

De Koning is poised to act as a bridge between eras for the Cats, given he is still years from his prime, and he said he was keen to help shepherd the club through as its current core of senior players begin to age.

Sam De Koning celebrates on grand final day. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I feel like we have a responsibility to continue that culture because it has been a winning one,” he said.

“You can see by Joel’s (Selwood) career, those standards will help you for a long time. It’s just trying to keep that culture alive and have a really good, balanced work life and continue that leadership.

“There’s a lot of good young boys coming through and Joel and (Tom Hawkins) and (Mitch Duncan), all the leaders and older boys who have been at the club a long time, they have really taught us what it means to be a Geelong person and player and what it means to pull on the hoops.”

Sam De Koning was back on the track on Monday. Picture: Alan Barber

A lover of the surf, it was no surprise De Koning was down by the waves when he got word his contract was sorted, when he was in the middle of lunch with his girlfriend and parents at the Wye River pub.

The laid-back big man said he had no hesitation re-signing with Geelong given his strong connections with the club.

“It’s the people, it’s the culture, it’s everything about the club,” he said.

“It’s unique from what I have heard. I have spoken to my brother (Carlton ruck Tom De Koning) and other players who have been at other clubs and I feel like Geelong is just a country, laid-back kind of club that allows you to be yourself which is something I find really important in a footy club.”

Originally published as Geelong young star Sam De Koning locked in until end of 2025