Tom De Koning is considering a lucrative seven-year offer from Carlton and is in no rush to make a decision.
"I'm really happy with where I'm at now, I love the group I'm playing with, and that's all I can say at the moment," he said.
"Carlton's the team that picked me in the draft. I've absolutely loved my time and feel like I've grown with this playing group and we've had a lot of games together."
Carlton is reported to have offered free agent Tom De Koning a seven-year contract, expected to be worth between $7-8 million, amid interest from St Kilda. De Koning now faces a decision between loyalty and financial gain.
Carlton coach Michael Voss says the club is confident they will be able to keep star ruck Tom De Koning despite interest from other clubs.
"What our job is to do is to provide the best environment we possibly can for any player. You back it in," Voss said.
"When the time comes where we need to have that conversation, we'll have it. But I've been really impressed with his pre-season. He's doubled down on a lot of areas he needed to work on in his game and he's raring to go."
Tom De Koning will make a free agency decision in 2025, with rival clubs expressing interest while he expresses his love for the team and focuses on the present season.
"I love it here. Growing up playing with a bunch of these boys since I got drafted and we've all kind of stuck together," De Koning said.
Tom De Koning says Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps played a key role in convincing him to stay with the Blues.
"When it all started popping off in the media, about what was happening with my future, he was the first one to come to me and make sure I was all good with it. He pretty much said that he's been through it all before and told me it's not necessarily an easy decision to make," De Koning said.
"He said it was different for everyone and he just wanted to make sure I made the right decision for me, given where I was at. For me, it took a little bit of time to figure out what I wanted and where I was at. I ended up making the right decision for myself and he was a massive part of that."
Tom De Koning re-commits to Carlton for another two seasons until the end of 2025.
"The relationships I have with my teammates are special. I don't take them for granted," De Koning said.
"I get to put on a Carlton jumper with my mates and run out in front of an incredible fan base every single week. You couldn't ask for anything more than that."
Carlton coach Michael Voss says Tom De Koning will need to fight for his spot in the team when he returns from concussion, despite lucrative offers elsewhere for the in-demand young gun.
De Koning is out of contract at the end of the 2023 with Sydney and St Kilda among clubs linked to a swoop for the 23-year-old.
"Tom is really professional in what he wants to be able to do. There are things he needs to develop in his game," Voss said.
"We have those conversations all the time around what he needs to be able to develop. He's absolutely aware of that."
Tom De Koning takes the mark of the round for round 9 of 2022.
Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Tom De Koning wins Mark of the Year for round 1 of 2022.
Thursday, 4 February 2021
Carlton will be without promising ruckman Tom De Koning throughout the early stages of the club's upcoming campaign, with the youngster suffering a low-level stress reaction to his back since returning to pre-season training.
Tom De Koning will visit a specialist after suffering a knee injury in a VFL practice match earlier this week.
De Koning, 19, had been among the standouts for the Northern Blues in Thursday afternoon’s clash against Richmond at Punt Road, before limping from the field just prior to three-quarter time.
Tom De Koning makes his AFL debut for Carlton at Docklands Stadium with 11 disposals (5 kicks and 6 handballs), 5 marks, 3 tackles, 3 hitouts and a goal in a 17-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Thursday, 19 July 2018
Tom De Koning signs a contract extension with Carlton to remain at the club until the end of 2021.
"Since I arrived at the Club in November, I've really loved being a part of it, learning about the game, preparation and being in an elite environment," De Koning said.
"I think we're a part of an exciting playing group here at Carlton and we're on the right track. I want to continue to learn from the older players, hopefully make my debut soon and contribute to the team’s success in the long-term."