SAM De Koning’s impressive first half of the AFL season has been recognised with a Rising Star nomination.
The 21-year-old key defender did enough in Geelong’s win over Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday to become the Cats’ first nominee since Jordan Clark in Round 15, 2019.
Drafted with pick no.19 in the 2019 National Draft, 204cm De Koning made his debut in Round 5 last year against North Melbourne.
However, it was his lone AFL appearance of the season.
The retirement of Lachie Henderson and injury to Jack Henry has opened the door for De Koning to settle into a key defensive post, where he’s played ten games, including nine-straight since Round 3.
He had a career-high 19 disposals at 89 per cent efficiency against the Crows.
Coach Chris Scott admits it’s hard to temper expectations around De Koning.
“(De Koning) played a game, and our supporters here at Geelong were going, ‘we love this guy right now, but we’re going to love him a lot for the next ten years’,” Scott said.
“A couple of weeks ago, I thought he had a great contest (against Max King). I likened it to Glen Jakovich and Wayne Carey – that might be a little bit of exaggeration, and they’re two of the greats – but I think Sam has the potential to be one of those guys that people go to the footy to see.”
De Koning is one of ten children, with brother Tom impressing early in his career at Carlton.
Their dad Terry played 31 games in three seasons with Footscray between 1980-82.
Twitter: @tom_king79
