Why losing Tom De Koning might not be the worst thing for Carlton Blues

No decision is needed now, but in the neck-and-neck race for Carlton tall Tom De Koning’s services, the Saints appear more attractive as a destination as each day goes by.

Now a free agent, he resisted bids two years ago to change clubs, his happiness in the environment created at Ikon Park enough to convince him to stay put despite the interest of St Kilda, Geelong and Sydney.

Carlton’s banner reads “Stronger together” but at this stage it’s not clear whether Tom De Koning will stay with the club in 2026. Credit: via Getty Images

This time his head has been turned with an offer of about $1.7 million a year from the Saints that is so attractive financially in comparison to the Blues’ very reasonable offer of just above $1 million a year that it would be foolish not to consider it.

It’s a binary choice for the 25-year-old: Carlton or St Kilda.

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