AFL 2025 Silly Season

[Booney]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1403560?fbc ... VPMho27_Dw

IT'S OFFICIAL. After months of speculation, Tom De Koning has told Carlton he will be joining St Kilda as a restricted free agent.

The 26-year-old is poised to sign a massive long-term deal with the Saints reportedly worth around $1.7 million over eight seasons

"To be really honest, this has been the toughest decision I have ever had to make, leaving a club I’ve loved being part of over the last eight years, with friendships I will take with me for the rest of my life,” De Koning said in his statement.

“In the end I have made a decision that is best for me, but I just really want to take this opportunity to thank the entire Carlton community who has embraced me since I was drafted – in particular the cheer squad, who have sponsored me and been an amazing support.”

Carlton list boss Nick Austin said the Blues had to put the interests of the club “first and foremost” by not trying to retain De Koning with a more lucrative offer.

“While we would have obviously loved to have retained Tom, the contract offer that we understand he has been presented with is not one we are prepared to match,” Austin said.

[Booney]

Interesting one :


WEST Coast premiership forward Liam Ryan has requested a trade.

Ryan, who turns 29 in October, has been linked with a move, with St Kilda among the clubs interested, and told the Eagles on Tuesday he wanted a trade.

The 2020 All-Australian is contracted at the Eagles for next year and the club said he was a required player.

"During our end-of-season player review process, Liam informed the club of his request to be traded," Eagles head of list management and recruiting Matt Clarke said.

"Given his contract status and importance to our developing squad, we have reiterated to Liam that he is a required player at our football club, and we view him as part of our future.

"Out of respect to Liam and his management, we will continue discussions over the coming weeks."

Speaking last week, Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said Ryan would remain with the club.

"There's always good players like Liam that attract interest from other clubs, which we understand," he said.

"But Liam will be with us next year."

[wenchbarwer]

I don't understand how they think TDK is worth that much coin. I understand Greg Swann wants tweaks to the ruck rules so that rucks actually jump for the ball, which plays into TDK's favour, but by that much???

Heard Ryan was linked to Essendon a month or so ago

[Jim05]

I don't understand how they think TDK is worth that much coin. I understand Greg Swann wants tweaks to the ruck rules so that rucks actually jump for the ball, which plays into TDK's favour, but by that much???

Heard Ryan was linked to Essendon a month or so ago

Ryan will be at the Saints.
Definitely won’t be at Essendon

[wenchbarwer]

I don't understand how they think TDK is worth that much coin. I understand Greg Swann wants tweaks to the ruck rules so that rucks actually jump for the ball, which plays into TDK's favour, but by that much???

Heard Ryan was linked to Essendon a month or so ago

Ryan will be at the Saints.
Definitely won’t be at Essendon

it really didn't make much sense when he was linked to us, assuming it was a management ploy to get a better deal

[Brodlach]

Do these players understand that St Kilda have not won a premiership since 1966?

Probably before their parents were born

[whufc]

Do these players understand that St Kilda have not won a premiership since 1966?

Probably before their parents were born

money, money, money.

Saints don't need to spend the minimum salary cap on their current players so have plenty of money to spend.

[amber_fluid]

Do these players understand that St Kilda have not won a premiership since 1966?

Probably before their parents were born

Just wait till TDK doesn’t get a kick
I’m not sure he’s mentally strong enough for what’s coming
Saints supporters aren’t angels either

[Spargo]

Mate in Melbourne who’s pretty well connected told me the Saints have got another “name player” on their radar. Wouldn’t tell me who, as said player hasn’t told his current club he’s looking elsewhere yet…

[Jim05]

Mate in Melbourne who’s pretty well connected told me the Saints have got another “name player” on their radar. Wouldn’t tell me who, as said player hasn’t told his current club he’s looking elsewhere yet…

Not sure how they fit under the cap.

[amber_fluid]

Mate in Melbourne who’s pretty well connected told me the Saints have got another “name player” on their radar. Wouldn’t tell me who, as said player hasn’t told his current club he’s looking elsewhere yet…

He better get in quick as the money is dwindling fast at the Saints

[gadj1976]

I don't understand how they think TDK is worth that much coin. I understand Greg Swann wants tweaks to the ruck rules so that rucks actually jump for the ball, which plays into TDK's favour, but by that much???

Heard Ryan was linked to Essendon a month or so ago

My son and I are both Carlton supporters. We were both happy to let him go. No ruckman is worth that much UNLESS they have the ability to go forward and kick 30 goals a season. Currently there wouldn't be one of those in the league. If there was, then I'd be happy to pay for that but he's just not doing it. So yes, you're getting a very good mobile tall, but he's not as damaging as he might become just yet. Noting that the best years of a ruck are later than others.

I think if we paid him that much, we're limited in who we can attract or retain. Best of luck to him, he's set himself up for life!

[wenchbarwer]

I don't understand how they think TDK is worth that much coin. I understand Greg Swann wants tweaks to the ruck rules so that rucks actually jump for the ball, which plays into TDK's favour, but by that much???

Heard Ryan was linked to Essendon a month or so ago

My son and I are both Carlton supporters. We were both happy to let him go. No ruckman is worth that much UNLESS they have the ability to go forward and kick 30 goals a season. Currently there wouldn't be one of those in the league. If there was, then I'd be happy to pay for that but he's just not doing it. So yes, you're getting a very good mobile tall, but he's not as damaging as he might become just yet. Noting that the best years of a ruck are later than others.

I think if we paid him that much, we're limited in who we can attract or retain. Best of luck to him, he's set himself up for life!

Great call, you'd be wanting the modern version of Simon Madden for $1.7M a year!

[amber_fluid]

I don't understand how they think TDK is worth that much coin. I understand Greg Swann wants tweaks to the ruck rules so that rucks actually jump for the ball, which plays into TDK's favour, but by that much???

Heard Ryan was linked to Essendon a month or so ago

My son and I are both Carlton supporters. We were both happy to let him go. No ruckman is worth that much UNLESS they have the ability to go forward and kick 30 goals a season. Currently there wouldn't be one of those in the league. If there was, then I'd be happy to pay for that but he's just not doing it. So yes, you're getting a very good mobile tall, but he's not as damaging as he might become just yet. Noting that the best years of a ruck are later than others.

I think if we paid him that much, we're limited in who we can attract or retain. Best of luck to him, he's set himself up for life!

Great call, you'd be wanting the modern version of Simon Madden for $1.7M a year!

I’d take Paul Salmon over Madden but I get what you mean

[Booney]

Whilst I think it's overs for TDK we need to keep in mind that the magic $1m mark has been obtained by players for some years now and the top end of town will soon be on $1.4-1.7m in the not too distant future and you pay overs to recruit RFA/FA's. It's overs, but its about to be the new normal.

[wenchbarwer]

I don't understand how they think TDK is worth that much coin. I understand Greg Swann wants tweaks to the ruck rules so that rucks actually jump for the ball, which plays into TDK's favour, but by that much???

Heard Ryan was linked to Essendon a month or so ago

My son and I are both Carlton supporters. We were both happy to let him go. No ruckman is worth that much UNLESS they have the ability to go forward and kick 30 goals a season. Currently there wouldn't be one of those in the league. If there was, then I'd be happy to pay for that but he's just not doing it. So yes, you're getting a very good mobile tall, but he's not as damaging as he might become just yet. Noting that the best years of a ruck are later than others.

I think if we paid him that much, we're limited in who we can attract or retain. Best of luck to him, he's set himself up for life!

Great call, you'd be wanting the modern version of Simon Madden for $1.7M a year!

I’d take Paul Salmon over Madden but I get what you mean

Madden kicked 15 more goals than Salmon did in his career, admittedly from 54 more games.

Fish was a FF who chopped out in the ruck for nearly all of his time at Essendon, only a fulltime ruck at Hawthorn, while Madden rucked and then rested forward.

Madden's ruckwork was also exquisite, Fish very, very good, but not at Madden's level.

[amber_fluid]

My son and I are both Carlton supporters. We were both happy to let him go. No ruckman is worth that much UNLESS they have the ability to go forward and kick 30 goals a season. Currently there wouldn't be one of those in the league. If there was, then I'd be happy to pay for that but he's just not doing it. So yes, you're getting a very good mobile tall, but he's not as damaging as he might become just yet. Noting that the best years of a ruck are later than others.

I think if we paid him that much, we're limited in who we can attract or retain. Best of luck to him, he's set himself up for life!

Great call, you'd be wanting the modern version of Simon Madden for $1.7M a year!

I’d take Paul Salmon over Madden but I get what you mean

Madden kicked 15 more goals than Salmon did in his career, admittedly from 54 more games.

Fish was a FF who chopped out in the ruck for nearly all of his time at Essendon, only a fulltime ruck at Hawthorn, while Madden rucked and then rested forward.

Madden's ruckwork was also exquisite, Fish very, very good, but not at Madden's level.

Yeah right
I would have bet my house on Salmon kicking more goals

We had the better Madden anyway

[Lightning McQueen]

I don't understand how they think TDK is worth that much coin. I understand Greg Swann wants tweaks to the ruck rules so that rucks actually jump for the ball, which plays into TDK's favour, but by that much???

Heard Ryan was linked to Essendon a month or so ago

Ryan will be at the Saints.
Definitely won’t be at Essendon

Shattered?

[wenchbarwer]

Yeah right
I would have bet my house on Salmon kicking more goals

Simon had the record for most goals in a career for Essendon until Matty Lloyd came along.

We had the better Madden anyway

Yeah, we won't mention the reason why Justin left in the first place

[Jim05]

Mate in Melbourne who’s pretty well connected told me the Saints have got another “name player” on their radar. Wouldn’t tell me who, as said player hasn’t told his current club he’s looking elsewhere yet…

Flanders isn’t a “name player”