Geelong defender Sam De Koning reveals mask limited his vision, couldn’t feel his mouth for days

Sam De Koning knew something was wrong when he couldn’t feel his face for four days but the mask that got him back on field after a brutal facial injury didn’t sit well with the Cats defender.

Sam De Koning wants to get rid of the mask that helped him back on field. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Geelong defender Sam De Koning wants to burn the mask that helped get him back on field after it limited his vision.

And the young defender has revealed he “couldn’t feel half my face” for four days after a brutal facial fracture earlier this season.

The young star smashed his face in round 7 against Essendon and initially thought he just suffered a badly broken nose.

Sam De Koning copped a big blow to his face. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

But when he couldn’t feel his mouth days later, he realised something further was wrong and further scans revealed damage around his mouth and jaw.

“I just thought it was a broken nose. It was halfway through the week and I thought I was going to play the next weekend,” he said.

“I thought the medication hadn’t worn off yet. I couldn’t feel half my mouth so I called the docs and they said it was actually a problem that it had been four days and I couldn’t feel my mouth.

“I got a scan that afternoon and there was a hole in my face and everything was kind of dented in my nose and my cheek. It was pretty bad. At the time I was struggling a bit with it and I had a few issues (earlier in the season) like a concussion.”

The Cat in the mask had a good duel with headbanded Aaron Naughton. Picture: Michael Klein.

De Koning sported a large black mask for two weeks beginning in round 11 against the GWS Giants in a bid to protect his face.

The Phantom of the Opera-style facial gear was made up at a specialty business in Richmond and while De Koning had the better of Dogs star Aaron Naughton while wearing it in round 12, he couldn’t wait to get rid of his new accessory.

“I didn’t choose the colour or how big it was,” he said.

“It definitely wasn’t the most comfortable. At the time I was telling myself that it was fine because you don’t want doubts in your head. Looking back, it probably affected a small portion of my vision.

“I ripped it off straight away, as soon as that Doggies game finished. I wanted to throw it into the crowd. I told ‘Jezza’ (Jeremy Cameron) he could use it as fire wood on his farm and he said it would because I want to get rid of it.”

The defender returned to form against Melbourne but still says he has work to do. Picture: Michael Klein.

De Koning enjoyed his strongest performance of the year in a crucial win over Melbourne but as he prepares to face a red-hot Sydney forwardline on Friday night he still feels disappointed in his form.

“I haven’t felt like I have been going too great,” he said.

“I had a few injuries but that is no excuse. I have come back and been trying to find my spot and play good footy.

“I would love to be a bigger presence in the air and on ground level as well. I pride myself on being able to play tall and small and helping my team attack. That is definitely part of my game I want to work on and improve my skills.”