The milestone speech that may have doubled as a farewell ahead of TDK’s D-Day
By Peter Ryan
Carlton hope ruckman Tom De Koning can tell them as soon as possible whether he is staying or going to St Kilda as a restricted free agent, so they can plan their next moves as a club with certainty.
No one expects him to remain at the Blues, with coach Michael Voss admitting post-game after their win over the Bombers: “We’re not [expecting] the best of news, but we’re holding on to that hope that it’s going to be here”.
Tom De Koning (right), pictured here with Blues skipper Patrick Cripps after their win over Essendon, is expected to leave for St Kilda in the off-season.Credit: AFL Photos
De Koning did not say anything definitive about his future, but it was what he didn’t say post-game when he was left in the unenviable position of having to give a speech to a crowded room as the club recognised his 100-game milestone that spoke loudest.
He didn’t shock the room by yelling “I’ll be back”. He merely treated what could have been a very awkward moment with respect and gratitude, thanking his teammates for “all the good times over the past eight years”.
The teammates, coaches, board members, and the staff that surround the players were warm in their presentation, too, with club president Robert Priestley emphasising what an achievement it was for De Koning to have his name on a locker at Carlton for reaching that milestone. In many ways, he was treated like a saint.
Professionalism won out over fire and brimstone at the same club that told Lachie Henderson to pack his bags with three games remaining when he made them aware he was off to Geelong at the end of 2015.
That might indicate a lot has changed in 10 years, although Voss still admitted we are not yet ready as a game to actually know what a player is doing before the season’s final siren rings out.
If this is to be De Koning’s exit, as everyone expects, it was a classy and humble way for the 26-year-old to depart a club he loves for a big-money offer from St Kilda of at least $1.7 million per year for seven years, which would prove hard for anyone to resist. The Blues have offered a more-than-reasonable deal of a little over $1.1 million a season.
De Koning’s form dropped at the end of the season, but he wants to reset for a big 2026.Credit: Getty Images
“There is a bit going on surrounding my name. My focus was finishing off the year strong,” De Koning said. “Now the next few weeks is [about] weighing things up and making a big decision.”
That decision probably won’t take long, with the Blues holding exit meetings next week, where De Koning’s future will be top of the agenda. He can then head to Bali to indulge in his passion for surfing, appreciating the support he has received from teammates and the coaches in a year that has not gone to plan.
“Each week I come into the club and feel the absolute love from the boys ... to come into a place and feel comfortable and safe is awesome when the outside noise is so chaotic,” De Koning said.
“I feel like I am a pretty laid-back person who has things going on outside footy that I can focus on when times are tough, and I’ve been able to do that.”
His skipper Patrick Cripps, a dual Brownlow medallist who has resisted any temptation to move as he’s led the club through its ups and downs, was generous towards his teammate.
“He’s a competitor – we love playing with him and you couldn’t question the way he has rocked up this year,” Cripps told Fox Footy.
“To play 100 games for any club is special, and he will get his name on his locker. He will go down as a 100-game Carlton player forever.”
Voss complimented his ruckman on how he had handled the season amid such scrutiny.
“I can’t fault TDK. All I wanted to be was just be really clear about what my expectations about him were,” Voss said.
“If he does leave, it will be disappointing, but it will be next man up.”
Who that is remains to be seen, as the Blues reflect on a season that never got going and begin to make the changes needed to get better. Their off-season is here. It’s unlikely De Koning will remain a Blue.
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