‘It’s massive’: Carlton’s worst nightmare comes true in $12 million plot
A rival club is reportedly preparing a plot to make a Carlton star the highest-paid player in Australian football history.
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St Kilda is reportedly preparing to offer Carlton’s Tom De Koning a godfather offer to make him the highest-paid player in the AFL.
In a case of Carlton’s worst fears being realised, the star utility is heading into free agency this year — and the offers about to be put on the table are “massive”.
That’s the latest news first reported by SEN’s Sam Edmund on Tuesday morning that suggests the Blues are about to be blown out of the water in their pursuit to hold onto the forward/ruckman.
De Koning was coy when addressing his uncertain future in December, but did tell reporters “I love it here”.
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The 25-year-old signed a two-year extension rather than a long-term deal in 2023 and he is among the most sought-after stars heading into the 2025 AFL Trade Period.
De Koning could reportedly receive offers of up to $1.7 million per-year, making him the highest-paid player in the game.
Edmund said the Saints are considering a “life-changing offer”.
“It’s the Saints who have once again stunned industry figures with an apparent willingness to splash enormous cash here,” Edmund said.
“I need to stress as well that no offer has been formally tabled. No offer formally proposed, but multiple sources familiar with this situation say the Saints have indicated they would be prepared to give De Koning a huge seven year contract. Now the figure I’ve been given is close to $12 million over the seven years.”
He speculated the Blues could be able to offer De Koning around $1 million per-season — that would leave De Koning up to $5 million short-changed if he decided to stay.
“So if it’s considered a life changing offer, as I say, it’s a too good to refuse offer,” he said.
“At the same time, if it were to come to pass now, it’s massive, but I think at the same time we need to acknowledge the salary cap and the changing landscape here. So just for reference sake, this year it goes to $17.7m.
“Now that’s up from $15.7m only 12 months ago last season. It’s going to be nearly 18.3 million in 2026. “
The Blues have already spent a significant part of the club’s salary cap on star tall-forwards Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow.
Ruckman Marc Pittonet is also an option to play Carlton’s No. 1 ruck position.
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes responded to Edmund’s report by saying: “If that’s the case, I don’t think any Carlton fan would begrudge him (De Koning) for leaving.
“Players will certainly take less to play (for their club), but there’s a threshold if you’re getting much less to stay.”
Cornes recently speculated De Koning was “gettable” as rival clubs circle.
Over the next couple of seasons the Blues will need to sign up the likes of Sam Walsh, Adam Cerra and Adam Saad.
Geelong and Sydney were also interested in De Koning when he last came out of contract in 2023.
Carlton wad bundled out of the finals by the Brisbane Lions for the second straight season but the 28-point elimination final loss to the eventual premiers hasn’t dampened expectations of going further next season.
Originally published as ‘It’s massive’: Carlton’s worst nightmare comes true in $12 million plot
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