Sam De Koning – Deck of DT 2025

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Selby – coach of Moreiras Magic- was the 2017/8 (yes, back-to-back) AFL Fantasy Classic champion. He joins us today as a special guest for the final card in Winners Week where a former No.1 comes on to chat about a player for the Deck of DT.

Not sure how many young key defenders have ever made the Deck of Dream Team over the years. But in a line that is the hardest to fill in 2025, a player priced at 55 with a chance of being a starting ruck is certainly worth our attention.

Why should I pick him?

Geelong has five genuine ruckmen on their list:

• Rhys Stanley, who is 34 and has been dropped in every season since 2016
• Toby Conway, who has struggled with a serious foot injury the last two years, playing just the six games. He’s currently on a modified program and missed their recent match simulation with back soreness, described as being a ‘slow build’
• Mitch Edwards, a second-year, 207cm project player who averaged just 35 in the VFL last year
• Jacob Molier, an 18-year-old draftee
• Joe Pike, a 19-year-old draftee (you know they have a problem when they take two rucks in one draft)

It doesn’t make for pretty reading. But hey, that hasn’t stopped Geelong in the past. They’ve essentially punted the ruck for the last 15 years (Chris Scott must listen to the Draft Doctors), yet in that time they have won more games than any other club with 229 wins (Sydney the only other team above 200).

So why fix what ain’t broke? Well, when Damian Barrett makes comment on the situation, you know it’s becoming an issue.

Enter Sam De Koning.

The former first round pick burst onto the scene in 2022 where he played 23 games and won a premiership as a tall, key defender. Obviously a young, tall defender isn’t going to be Fantasy relevant, and SDK averaged just 48 points in 2022 and 2023. He maintained that average for the first half of 2024 playing in the same role, before being introduced into the Geelong ruck merry-go-round in Round 15.

While still very raw, displaying a low hitout win rate of 29% (far worse than Stanley 41%, Blicavs 37% and Conway 34%), he was able to showcase his athletic ability around the ground, which led to a nice boost in Fantasy scoring. In the five games where he attended 40 or more ruck contests, he averaged an impressive 87.

In the recent match simulation, Conway started in the centre square as the ruck for the A team in an indication he’ll get first crack at the role in 2025.

All the buzz in this pre-season has been about his brother, Tom De Koning, who took until last season before breaking out with his 88 average. TDK was 24 at the start of the season. SDK will be 24 at the start of 2025 (maybe it’s just me but I thought Sam was much younger).

So we’re talking about a defender priced at 55 with the potential to average 87. Sign me up.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

1. Young player at Geelong
2. Ruckman at Geelong

Neither scenario has seen any consistency in the last decade and SDK fits into both categories. Scott has shown he’s happy to change the ruck setup week to week, and it wouldn’t surprise to see all of Blicavs, Stanley, Conway and SDK as their leading ruck on any occasion during 2025. There’s every chance one week you’ll find yourself with a 204cm tall defender in your fantasy team.

But that’s not the only worry. He didn’t make Geelong’s best 23 for the finals. Oh, and he has a Round 3 bye along with the other popular defenders – Mills, Kiddy, Roberts, Perryman…

Deck of DT Rating.

JACK

Hopefully after the Opening Round he emerges as a King.

Sign up for Selby’s season guide. https://www.moreirasmagic.com.au/

Selby

AFL Fantasy GOAT! Back-to-back champions 2017 & 2018! 🐐