Carlton’s Tom De Koning speaks on his contract status amid reports of massive offers

Carlton big man Tom De Koning has spoken on his contract status amid speculation he has been tabled one of the most lucrative AFL deals in history.

Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning is “definitely not setting a timeline” on his decision to re-sign with the Blues or take one of the most lucrative contracts in AFL history.

De Koning was asked a raft of questions about his future at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday and played an extremely straight bat.

He is reported to have been tabled a contract as big as $12m over seven years – a deal worth $1.7m a year – by St Kilda.

De Koning admits “there’s a lot to weigh up” but took every chance to steer focus to Carlton’s round 1 match against Richmond.

“Definitely not setting a timeline,” he said.

“Look, my main focus right now is playing round 1 against Richmond, waiting for that first bounce, that’s where my head is at and everything is happening behind the scenes is between my manager and the club.

“(I’m) happy with where everything’s sitting now and just can’t wait to get out there and play round 1.

“Obviously, there’s a lot to weigh up but my main focus is working with the coaches and playing my role for the team.

“As I said, I am really happy with where I am at now and love the group I am playing with, that’s all I can say at the moment.”

Carlton’s Tom De Koning played a straight bat when talking about his contract status. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

De Koning, 25, says he has “absolutely loved” his 78 AFL games at Carlton and looming contract speculation is nothing his star teammates haven’t dealt with themselves.

“Look, it’s nothing my teammates haven’t gone through before, me as well two years ago,” he said.

“I am in a position that Crippa (Patrick Cripps), Charlie (Curnow), Walshy (Sam Walsh), Harry (McKay), those sort of players. I am really happy where I am at and just can’t wait to play.”

De Koning didn’t directly answer whether success would play a part in his decision but backed the Blues to have success very soon.

“I think we’re in a good position, Carlton, to have success very soon,” he said.

“We’re happy with how we’re going this pre-season. We just can’t wait to get out there and show everyone what we can do.”

He says there is a lot to weigh up. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

TRANSCRIPT

REPORTER: Tom, it sounds like you’ve got plenty to weigh up on the contract front, potentially a few pretty hefty offers on the table, where do you sit, are you setting yourself a bit of a timeline to decide?

TDK: “Definitely not setting a timeline, look, my main focus right now is playing round 1 against Richmond, waiting for that first bounce, that’s where my head is at and everything is happening behind the scenes is between my manager and the club. (I’m) happy with where everything’s sitting now and just can’t wait to get out there and play round 1.”

REPORTER: How do you go about making that decision, Tom? Do you list pros and cons, do you sit down with the manager, what goes into making such a big call that will define the rest of your footy career, potentially?

TDK: “Obviously, there’s a lot to weigh up but my main focus is working with the coaches and playing my role for the team, as I said I am really happy with where I am at now and love the group I am playing with, that’s all I can say at the moment.”

REPORTER: Does success play a part, Tom?

TDK: “I think we’re in a good position, Carlton, to have success very soon and yeah, look, we’re happy with how we’re going this pre-season and it’s been a lot of work been done. We just can’t wait to get out there and show everyone what we can do.”

REPORTER: Carlton fans will be nervously reading or listening to you, I am sure you’re aware of that and everything that comes with being out of contract. Would you prefer to stay?

TDK: “Look, it’s nothing my teammates haven’t gone through before, me as well two years ago. I am in a position that Crippa, Charlie, Walshy, Harry, those sort of players. I am really happy where I am at and just can’t wait to play.”

REPORTER: Tom, how big of a factor is it that you’ve gone through a period at Carlton where they had struggled and come to where they are today. How big of a factor is that for you?

TDK: “Obviously Carlton is the team that picked me in the draft, I have absolutely loved my time, I feel like I have grown with this playing group, I feel like we’ve had a lot of games together and can’t wait to see what this season has to play and how we can go because I feel like we’ve had the footy together now and we’re in a really good position to challenge for the top spot. Yeah, can’t wait.”

Originally published as Carlton’s Tom De Koning speaks on his contract status amid reports of massive offers