Carlton coach Michael Voss says a irritating stint on the sidelines won’t change Tom De Koning’s thoughts on the place he performs subsequent season.
The 23-year-old ruckman, who’s uncontracted past the 2023 season, has been the topic of unfair assumptions based on Voss, who says he’s on the identical web page as Carlton’s teaching workers with what’s required of him on the sphere.
De Koning suffered a concussion within the VFL final weekend after he was unable to interrupt into the senior facet following a “rest” the week earlier than and has entered the league’s concussion protocols.
Voss mentioned the scenario relating to the younger tall was “clearly not ideal”, however it might not have any bearing on the place he needed to play subsequent season.
De Koning has been linked to St Kilda the place former Blue Stephen Silvagni is checklist supervisor, whereas there’s hypothesis Geelong may additionally make a play for the native product and brother of key defender Sam De Koning.
“He would ideally like to be playing and stating his case but has to wait a week for that to happen,” Voss mentioned.
“We don’t want to lose any player (to concussion), but you manage what’s in front of you and three weeks ago, we felt like he needed to be able to get that rest, and you can never quite predict if a concussion is going to come along.
“There’s a lot of assumptions and conclusions that have been drawn about Tom, but the reality is I think that’s underestimating the professionalism of the player and the professionalism of our football club.”
Voss mentioned the Blues would assist De Koning’s needs to attempt to string collectively constant high quality performances earlier than he explores a brand new contract.
“Tom is really professional in what he wants to do, there’s things he needs to develop in his game … and he’s absolutely aware of that. I guess our job as a football club is to ensure we’re creating the right environment,” he mentioned.
“And the right environment is to challenge where we need to challenge, and there’s a fight for spots … he’s up for that, he wants to get the best out of himself and we’re there to support him.”
Voss mentioned Jesse Motlop was a certainty to make his return from suspension on Friday evening in opposition to Brisbane, whereas fellow small ahead Matt Owies is within the body after recovering from a hamstring harm.
“(Motlop) will come in, he’s been a really valuable player to us, obviously (Owies) has spent a little bit more time out so there’s a bit more to consider on what we do there,” he mentioned.
“If anything, Mots has gone out for a week and it’s given him a chance to freshen up, and hopefully he can bring that energy for us that we’ll need in the front half.”
Source: www.news.com.au
