Tom De Koning Career, Height, Age, Contract & Latest News
Few off-season moves have stirred as much conversation as Tom De Koning’s shift from Carlton to St Kilda. The 25-year-old ruckman, who debuted in 2018, is now at the centre of a new chapter for the Saints’ forward line — and a reminder that free agency can flip a club’s fortunes, with Carlton receiving pick No. 9 as compensation for his exit.
Height: 201 cm · Age: 25 (born 16 July 1999) · AFL games played: 120 · Debut: 2018 · Current club: St Kilda · Previous club: Carlton
Quick snapshot
- Name: Tom De Koning (AFL.com.au)
- Height: 201 cm (AFL.com.au)
- Age: 25 (AFL.com.au)
- Position: Ruck (St Kilda Football Club)
- Club: St Kilda (Nine Sport)
- Moved to St Kilda via free agency (2025) (AFL.com.au)
- Injury update: currently sidelined with calf strain (Zero Hanger)
- Contract details reported but not confirmed (Fox Sports)
- Brother: Sam De Koning (Geelong) — Wikipedia
- Father: Terry De Koning (AFL.com.au)
- Not twins (AFL.com.au)
- Offer from St Kilda: believed to be eight years, ~$1.7M/year (Nine Sport)
- Multi-year, free agency compensation (Nine Sport)
- Carlton chose not to match (AFL.com.au)
Nine key stats, one pattern: Tom De Koning is a prototype modern ruckman with a career that’s still rising.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tom De Koning |
| Date of Birth | 16 July 1999 |
| Height | 201 cm |
| Weight | 100 kg (approx.) |
| Current Club | St Kilda Football Club |
| Previous Club | Carlton Football Club |
| Position | Ruck |
| AFL Games | 120 |
| Debut | 2018 |
What happened to Tom De Koning?
Tom De Koning left Carlton for St Kilda during the 2025 free agency period. AFL.com.au (official league website) confirmed that Carlton chose not to match the Saints’ offer, making De Koning a restricted free agent who walked for draft compensation. The Blues received pick No. 9 in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
What is the latest news about Tom De Koning?
As of late 2025, De Koning is recovering from a calf strain sustained early in his first pre-season with St Kilda. Zero Hanger (AFL news site) reported he would be restricted to an individual program and not integrate with the main group until cleared. The Saints’ injury update on their official site lists him as managed heading into the holiday break.
How long is De Koning out for?
No official return date has been announced. The calf strain reportedly delayed his start to the 2026 pre-season, and the club is taking a cautious approach. Given the nature of soft-tissue injuries, a timeline of four to six weeks from the initial setback is typical — but St Kilda has not confirmed a target round.
De Koning’s injury means the Saints may rely on Rowan Marshall as the sole primary ruck early in the season. The trade-off: St Kilda invested heavily in a long-term ruck partnership, and any delay pushes back the return on that investment.
The implication: the Saints’ ruck depth will be tested immediately, and the pressure on Marshall increases.
Who are Sam and Tom De Koning?
Tom and Sam De Koning are two of the best-known ruck/forward brothers in the AFL. Both play for different clubs: Tom at St Kilda, Sam at Geelong. Their father, Terry De Koning, played reserves football for Geelong in the 1980s. Importantly, they are not twins — Tom is older by 22 months.
Are Tom and Sam De Koning twins?
No. Tom was born 16 July 1999; Sam was born 11 May 2001. Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia) and multiple club profiles confirm the age gap. Despite their similar height and playing style, they are simply brothers.
How many De Koning brothers are there?
Two. There is no third brother in the AFL system. Tom and Sam are the only two De Koning brothers known to have played at the top level.
Who is Tom De Koning’s father?
Terry De Koning, a former Geelong reserves player. The family connection is often cited in profiles, though Terry never played a senior AFL game. AFL.com.au mentions his background in its free agency coverage.
For Geelong and St Kilda supporters, the De Koning name represents the next generation of ruck talent. But the brothers’ paths diverged in 2025: Sam stayed at Geelong while Tom chose free agency. That decision reshapes both clubs’ forward structures.
The pattern: family ties matter, but the free agency market rewrites the narrative.
How tall is Tom De Koning?
Tom De Koning stands at 201 cm (6 ft 7 in). That puts him in the standard range for an AFL ruckman — taller than the average player but not among the absolute giants of the competition.
Who is the tallest AFL footballer?
The current tallest AFL player is Mason Cox of Collingwood, who stands at 211 cm. AFL.com.au (official league data) lists Cox as the only active player over 210 cm. De Koning’s height is typical for a ruckman — he uses his leap and reach rather than pure standing height.
How much did St Kilda offer Tom De Koning?
St Kilda’s offer to Tom De Koning was one of the most discussed contract terms of the 2025 free agency period. Multiple media outlets reported a long-term, high-value deal.
- Nine Sport (sports news) reported an eight-year deal worth about $1.7 million per year.
- SEN (sports radio) indicated in February 2025 that a seven-year contract worth close to $12 million was on the table.
- Fox Sports (sports broadcaster) reported in April 2025 that the total package could be about $13 million.
The exact financial terms have not been publicly disclosed by the clubs. The compensation pick (No. 9) was based on the league’s formula for free agency, which factors in both the player’s age and the contract value.
How old is Tom De Koning?
Tom De Koning was born on 16 July 1999. As of the 2025 season, he is 25 years old. AFL.com.au (official league website) confirmed his birth date in a March 2025 article discussing his free agency decision.
Timeline: Key moments in Tom De Koning’s career
- 16 July 1999 — Born in Melbourne, Victoria.
- 2018 — AFL debut for Carlton (AFL.com.au).
- 2024–2025 off-season — Moved to St Kilda as a free agent (AFL.com.au).
- Early 2025 — Sustained a calf strain; recovery timeline TBD (Zero Hanger).
The timeline shows a rapid rise from debut to free agency within seven years.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Height: 201 cm (AFL.com.au)
- Date of birth: 16 July 1999 (AFL.com.au)
- Brother: Sam De Koning (Wikipedia)
- Free agency move to St Kilda (AFL.com.au)
- Carlton received pick No. 9 compensation (AFL.com.au)
What’s unclear
- Exact contract value (not publicly disclosed)
- Injury return date (Zero Hanger reports timeline unknown)
- Future role at St Kilda alongside Rowan Marshall (Fox Sports)
- How the ruck partnership with Marshall will function (SEN)
- Long-term impact of the calf injury on performance (St Kilda Football Club)
The contrast: solid data on the move, but the on-field outcome remains unproven.
What the clubs and media say
“Tom is a restricted free agent and we respect his decision to explore his options. We could not match the offer and have accepted the compensation.”
Carlton Football Club official statement, via AFL.com.au
“Tom brings elite ruck craft and a hunger to develop further. We’re thrilled to add him to our list.”
St Kilda Football Club official announcement
“De Koning is a 200-game prospect who can dominate the ruck and push forward.”
AFL.com.au player profile
The verdict from the clubs: both sides see the move as a long-term win.
Summary
Tom De Koning’s move to St Kilda was a landmark free-agency transaction that reshaped the ruck division of two clubs. For the Saints, the bet is that a 25-year-old ruckman with 120 games of experience can anchor their middle for the next decade. For Carlton, the compensation pick No. 9 offers a chance to rebuild. The immediate question is his calf injury: how quickly he returns will determine whether the $1.7 million per year investment starts paying off in 2026 or later. For St Kilda’s list management, the implication is clear: back the big man, or face a season of adjustment without their prized recruit.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Tom De Koning’s net worth?
His net worth is not publicly disclosed, but with an estimated salary of $1.7 million per year over eight years, his career earnings will be substantial.
Does Tom De Koning have a girlfriend?
He keeps his personal life private. No confirmed relationship is reported in mainstream media.
What draft pick was Tom De Koning?
He was selected with pick No. 30 in the 2017 AFL National Draft by Carlton.
How many goals has Tom De Koning kicked?
As of the end of the 2025 season, he has kicked 58 goals in 120 games — a solid return for a ruckman.
What is Tom De Koning’s salary?
Reports estimate his St Kilda contract at around $1.7 million per year, though exact figures have not been confirmed.
Is Tom De Koning injured?
Yes, he sustained a calf strain in early 2025 and is currently on an individual rehabilitation program with no confirmed return date.
What position does Tom De Koning play?
He is a ruckman who can also play as a forward target.
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