Toast Sam De Koning

[MoggsCreek]

What I love about Sam is his positive mindset. Particularly early in the season, he would be off in his positioning, leading to opposition goals. But with the very next inside 50, he would still go for a mark, and back his ability to read the ball in flight.

And I think he has the skills to link up well in general play, which is something that a lot of key defenders are unable to do. As we saw in the last quarter of the pies game when he was swung forward, he has a deft touch and some creativity. I think that aspect of his game will become more noticeable soon, and be a huge asset to a faster style of play.

 

[Jumping Jack]

Fair enough, honestly thought they were all from down there - given what he said when he was drafted. My mistake

Yeah he did talk about loving it "down the coast" when drafted, but they're all in Melbourne. Pretty sure his father is a teacher at Haileybury College and has been for some time.

 

[Drunkcat]

Yes, but it is Carlton..
All jokes aside, the two brothers are apparently quite close. Maybe they would like to play in the same team, maybe not.
Or
SDK wants to leave us and play over there......

How good would Carlton be if they got Sam

 

[jim boy]

How good would Carlton be if they got Sam

Sam's lifelong dream was to be a Carlton player before he joined the cats

 

[GeelongFTW]

Would you leave Carlton with the way they're going at the moment? No chance he goes anywhere, IMO

Brave to assume Carlton aren't going to implode mid-season

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

Very composed young player. Massive future ahead. Let’s hope we keep him.

 

[cats_09]

Time to give SDK his own thread before his Rising Star nomination this afternoon

Fantastic start to the season and you can literally see him grow in confidence each week. Already plays like a 50-gamer and seems destined for a very successful career.

Also a bit of media love this morning, with Garry Lyon talking SDK up as one of the stories of the season and questioning why he's not one of the Rising Star favourites:

May have jinxed the young fella

 

[Gunf]

May have jinxed the young fella

Rising star is a competition for possies and goals. Actual defenders don't get much credit unfortunately.

SDK will get a nom later in the year when all the other players already have one.

 

[fpm84]

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Brilliant year from a rookie whose holding down a key post.
I don't want to go overboard but I'm VERY impressed thus far.

 

[foxdog50]

Honestly SDK not getting nominated this week is a joke... I don't know any young players are playing as a basically no 1 key defender...

 

[STPer18]

Honestly SDK not getting nominated this week is a joke... I don't know any young players are playing as a basically no 1 key defender...

He's starting to get a bit of media recognition, so if he keeps up his form he'll get one before long.

 

[bulletproof]

Before people get too upset about the Rising Star nominee process, worth remembering Gary Ablett junior was never nominated for the rising star award….

 

[petrolium]

I don’t want to jinx it, but I can see SDK being our best (and highest paid) player in 5 years time

 

[jim boy]

Before people get too upset about the Rising Star nominee process, worth remembering Gary Ablett junior was never nominated for the rising star award….

To be fair, GAJ did not make an impact at all in his first season, was ineligible in subsequent seasons and up until 2007 was really just a good ordinary player

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Honestly SDK not getting nominated this week is a joke... I don't know any young players are playing as a basically no 1 key defender...

And leading the league in intercept contested marks.

 

[Drunkcat]

May have jinxed the young fella

Don't think anyone should get it, if you play Nth Melb

 

[Drunkcat]

Before people get too upset about the Rising Star nominee process, worth remembering Gary Ablett junior was never nominated for the rising star award….

Was very average his first year, did not see a star in him the first year

 

[thecatattack]

Nah he's a Geelong boy, born and bred. If TDK was at say a club like North, then I would say that allure would easily be enough to bring him home. Alas, Carlton are on the up in a massive way, and he's only an hours drive from his family, so there's no need for him to leave when success beckons

Nah, I feel like you're thinking of Jack Henry and Ollie Henry. Both Geelong born and bred and I actually think Ollie will want to come back.

 

[thecatattack]

SDK will have a 20 touch, 10 mark game and will get the nomination soon

 

[The Hoops Show]

I'm confused as to why SDK hasn't won a Rising Star nom yet? What universe am I living in??

 

[BORIS332]

View attachment 1396401

I think it was Huddo that mentioned on the weekend SDK is #1 for contested marks inside D50 across the whole comp.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

I think it was Huddo that mentioned on the weekend SDK is #1 for contested marks inside D50 across the whole comp.

I know I've mentioned it a few times, but I can't believe how this stat gets glossed over so much.
He's a rookie FFS and not only is he backing himself to take the mark in the contest, he's LEADING THE COMP IN IT!
That's crazy

 

[D BRIDGE]

I'm not fussed about him not getting a RS nom as of yet.

Just want him to continue to improve.

Looks like he is going to end up being the key pillar in our defense for a very long time.

 

[goyoucatters]

Can't possibly win the Rising Star (another award basically reserved only for mids), so really don't care too much when (or whether) he gets nominated. Just delighted with how he's progressing and the contribution he's making to seeing the GFC get better.

All of the RS noms in the world don't compare to having a quality young player performing for your team. Long may it last.