| Tom De Koning | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 De Koning in 2024 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Thomas De Koning | ||
| Nicknames | TDK, The King | ||
| Born | (1999-07-16)16 July 1999 (age 26) | ||
| Original teams | Dandenong Stingrays (NAB League) Mt Martha (MTPJFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 30,2017 national draft | ||
| Debut | 19 August 2018,Carlton vs.Western Bulldogs, atDocklands Stadium | ||
| Height | 201 cm (6 ft 7 in) | ||
| Weight | 103 kg (227 lb) | ||
| Position | Ruck | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | St Kilda | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2018–2025 | Carlton | 100 (36) | |
| 2026– | St Kilda | 0(0) | |
| Total | 100 (36) | ||
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2025. | |||
| Sources:AFL Tables,AustralianFootball.com | |||
Tom De Koning (/ˈkoʊnɪŋ/KOH-ning;[1] born 16 July 1999) is a professionalAustralian rules footballer playing forSt Kilda Football Club in theAustralian Football League (AFL).
Standing at over two metres tall, De Koning has throughout his career been aruckman. Though never considered a great tap ruckman – his performance in the traditional ruck statistics of hitouts and hitouts-to-advantage have never been elite – he has the mobility and athleticism to contribute as a ground midfielder, clearance winner and two-way defensive player;[2][3] he also rests and rotates as a deep forward.[4][5] A decent contested mark with a strong aerial leap, he has earned frequent Mark of the Week nominations throughout his career.[6]
De Koning attendedPadua College[7] and played junior football for Mt Martha alongside future Carlton teammateJacob Weitering[8] andSt Kilda playerHunter Clark. De Koning joinedTAC Cup clubDandenong Stingrays, notably kicking nine goals as a bottom-aged player in a 2016 match against theNorthern Knights.[9] He played a total of 19 matches for the Stingrays, as well as four for Vic Country in the2017 AFL Under 18 Championships,[5] although his 2017 was interrupted after he lacerated hiskidney in July in fall in a ruck contest.[8]
De Koning was drafted to theAustralian Football League byCarlton with pick 30 in the2017 AFL national draft. Prior to his senior debut, he extended his initial two-year contract until the end of 2021,[10] and made his AFL debut in round 22, kicking a goal on debut.[11] He played two senior matches in 2018 and none in an injury-interrupted 2019.[12] De Koning played his first regular senior football in the latter half of thepandemic-interrupted2020 season,[12] playing seven matches in total, and after the season he signed a further two-year contract extension to the end of 2023.[13] De Koning's became the club's number one ruckman in 2022, and often went into matches either in partnership with tap ruckmanMarc Pittonet, or without a recognised backup.[14]
An indifferent start to the 2023 saw De Koning omitted from the senior team for a month; at the same time, the looming end of his contract and perceptions of his potential to ultimately become one of the league's top ruckman-midfielders meant his contract negotiations were widely reported during the year.[15] De Koning was reportedly offered long-term contracts bySydney (eight years) andGeelong (five years),[16] before re-signing with Carlton in July for a two year extension to the end of2025.[17] His form improved upon his return to the senior team later in the year. During the2023 semi-final againstMelbourne, De Koning scored Carlton's first two goals late in the first quarter in quick succession; in response, British singerRobbie Williams, a Carlton fan, recorded himself singing "De Koning's in the Air" to the tune ofJohn Paul Young'sLove Is in the Air. The video went viral as De Koning became a cult hero at his club.[18]
Over the next two years, De Koning had phases of both dominant and inconsistent form: at times through mid 2024 and early 2025 commentators considered him inAll Australian form as a dominating ruckman-midfielder,[2] while at other times his form was middling.[19] He finished seventh in the Carlton best and fairest in 2024,[20] then sixth in 2025, which were his best finishes in his time with the club.[21] In 2025, with his short contract extension set to expire and De Koning eligible for restricted free agency, his playing contract was again frequently discussed by the media during the season. It had been widely reported that he had been offered and was likely to accept a high-priced, long-term deal withSt Kilda from 2026 which Carlton would not match.[22][23] De Koning played a career high 22 matches for Carlton during the 2025 season, playing his 100th career match in the final round.[24]
De Koning's move to St Kilda was confirmed on the first day of the2025 free agency period.[25]
De Koning is the son of formerFootscray playerTerry De Koning.[4] He is the eighth eldest in a blended family of ten children, and his younger brother isGeelong footballerSam De Koning. HisDutch grandfather Martin was a migrant to Australia.[8]
