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“$3 million difference”: The huge gulf in offers that De Koning is weighing up
Lachlan Geleit • April 2nd, 2025 10:08 am
Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning has a huge decision on his hands as he weighs up his restricted free agency future.
After starting the 2025 season in brilliant fashion, SEN’s Sam Edmund says the 25-year-old has deals in front of him from two clubs - Carlton and St Kilda.
While the Blues are desperate to keep hold of the emerging star, their offer has been blown out of the water by the Saints who according to Channel 7’s Caroline Wilson have tabled a $12 million deal over seven years.
Even though the Blues are willing to also offer De Koning more than seven figures a year, Edmund says that even conservatively they won’t get within $3 million of the Saints’ offer.
He discussed what else De Koning has to weigh up with his SEN’s Sportsday co-host Gerard Healy.
Edmund: “They can’t sign him quick enough, Tom De Koning, but there's a bit to think about there.”
Healy: “Can you build a premiership side if $1.7 (million) is going to one bank account?”
Edmund: “I'm not qualified to answer that because I don't know what else St Kilda are paying and who else they're paying, but you would think it would pose some problems down the track, wouldn't it?
“Even conservatively speaking, the Carlton offer, and I’ve had this relayed back to me… it’s a $3 million difference across the lifetime of the contract.
“He would be saying no to $3 million just because he wants to be a one-club player, just because he's loyal to Carlton and just because he has some good relationships in the change room.”
Healy: “It’s big money without doubt, but the issue is how much more does he get by staying as a Carlton man off the field.
“The off-the-field money now is huge and I suspect he gets more if he stays at the Blues.
“He’s got to take the full package, and ultimately it doesn't matter how much you get whilst you're playing, it's how much you’ve got when you're 30 or 40.”
Edmund: “Aren't there big corporate connections at St Kilda though?”
Healy: “I'm thinking the Blues have got them well covered.”
De Koning is averaging 25 disposals, 32.7 hitouts and 7.3 clearances after three strong games to start the 2025 season.
