Reigning AFL premiers Geelong have locked away younger star defender Sam De Koning on a two-year contract extension.
De Koning was one of many rising forces within the Cats’ run to this yr’s flag and was as a consequence of come out of contract on the finish of the 2023 season.
However, Geelong have stepped in early to make sure rival golf equipment didn’t come chasing the 21-year-old’s prized signature.
“The club has got a great culture and I want to be part of it,” De Koning stated.
“It’s been a whirlwind 12 months and my focus is to now get back to work, come into training with the same attitude and be hungry to improve.
“I do know there’s areas I can enhance on to take my sport to a different degree and I’m excited to return in daily and work on these issues to develop into the participant I do know I could be and attain my full potential.”
De Koning had played just one AFL game entering the 2022 season but was one of Geelong’s most valuable players by the end of the campaign.
He quickly transformed into one of the AFL’s best fullbacks, playing on some of the competition’s best forwards.
De Koning placed second in the Rising Star award, just behind Collingwood’s father-son dynamo Nick Daicos.
To top off an extraordinary season, De Koning booted the first goal of his 24-game career in the dying stages of Geelong’s grand final win over the Sydney Swans.
“He performed an vital position for the group in 2022 and I’ve little question he has the starvation to proceed to work on his craft, which is an thrilling prospect for all of us on the Geelong Football Club, and for Sam himself,” Geelong list boss Andrew Mackie said.
“Sam is a superb younger man and a well-liked teammate, and we won’t wait to see him proceed to develop as a participant and particular person over the following couple of years.”
