Tom De Koning Explained

Tom De Koning
Nickname:TDK, The King
Birth Date:16 July 1999
Originalteam:Mt Martha/Dandenong Stingrays
Draftpick:No. 30, 2017 national draft
Position:Ruck/Forward
Guernsey:12
Source:AFL Tables Carlton official website
Debutdate:19 August 2018
Debutstadium:Docklands Stadium
Height:204 cm
Weight:103 kg
Years1:2018–
Games Goals1:77 (30)
Statsend:round 19, 2024

Tom De Koning (;[1] born 16 July 1999) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for Carlton in the Australian Football League (AFL).

De Koning attended Padua College[2] and played junior football for Mt Martha with current teammate Jacob Weitering[3] and St Kilda player Hunter Clark. He typically played as a ruckman.[4] De Koning joined TAC Cup club Dandenong Stingrays and kicked nine goals in 2016 as a 17-year-old against the Northern Knights.[5] He joined the AFL Academy, played 11 TAC Cup games and kicked 17 goals. De Koning lacerated his kidney in July 2017 after a fall in a ruck contest, but recovered and was drafted by Carlton with pick 30 in the 2017 AFL national draft. In 2018, De Koning extended his contract until 2021,[6] and made his AFL debut in round 22 against the Western Bulldogs at Docklands Stadium. He recorded 11 disposals, five marks and kicked his first goal in the second quarter.[7] Tom extended his contract with the Carlton Football club until 2025.

De Koning is the son of former Footscray player Terry De Koning and has nine siblings, including footballer Sam De Koning. His Dutch grandfather Martin was a migrant to Australia.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: How to say the AFL's trickiest names. Australian Football League. 30 March 2022. 30 September 2022.
  2. News: Rays kick on to bigger things. 2017-06-22. TAC Cup. 2018-09-03. en-US.
  3. News: New Blue Tom 'over the moon'. De Bolfo. Tony. 2017-11-24. carltonfc.com.au. 2018-08-31.
  4. News: My boy Tom – Terry De Koning tells. De Bolfo. Tony. 2018-08-23. carltonfc.com.au. 2018-08-31.
  5. News: Dandenong Stingray Tom De Koning bags nine goals against Northern Knights. McEvoy. Simon. 2016-05-09. Herald Sun. 2018-08-31.
  6. News: Extensions for young pair is good news for Blues. 2018-07-19. afl.com.au. 2018-09-01.
  7. News: Five talking points: Carton v Western Bulldogs. Beveridge. Riley. 2018-08-31. afl.com.au. 2018-09-01.