Kane Cornes was impressed by Carlton’s Tom De Koning in Thursday’s draw against Richmond at the MCG.
Picked as the sole ruckman over Marc Pittonet, De Koning went head to head against Richmond’s Toby Nankervis and didn’t look out of place as he picked up 13 disposals and 24 hitouts.
After showing that he can compete as a number one ruckman against one of the competition’s best, Cornes says the Blues must get the signature of the soon to be out of contract 23-year-old.
“Tom De Koning, I’m not sure if he’s ever rucked for 95 per cent of the game on his own,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.
“Of course, he’s done it for little bits, but he just looks a player to me.
“To go head-to-head with an absolute animal in Nankervis and to split the points I reckon in front of 88,000, Round 1 at the MCG, in an unfamiliar role (was impressive).
“I thought he ran out the game really well, he looks big, he looks strong, his tap work is good.
“He had one moment where Lynch was able to nudge him under the ball in the forward 50 and kick the goal before it was reversed.
“But they have to get his signature, they have to get his signature.”
While Cornes believes the Blues must make De Koning’s contract a priority, David King isn’t as sold on the player as he doesn’t believe he’s worth what clubs may be willing to pay him on the open market.
King: “Well, I’m going to debate you on this one, I watched the game … I don’t see it, I don’t see that he’s a million dollar player.
“I just don’t see it, I’m happy to be wrong on this, but if he is that player, the big-money bona-fide ruckman one out versus Nankervis – he could have been the difference, should have been the difference.
“He’s finished the day with 13 touches, three of those touches in the front half of the ground.”
Cornes: “When I say this people lose their mind, I’m not saying he’s worth a million dollars, I’m saying a team will pay him a million dollars.”
King: “That would be complete madness.
Cornes: “They’re paying Luke Jackson somewhere in the vicinity of that.”
King: “Luke Jackson, his possessions become scores.”
Cornes: “Do they? He doesn’t get many.”
King: “They become scores, that’s my point.
“This guy, I’m not sold, I’m happy to debate you on this one, we’ll revisit it in six weeks.”
Cornes: “I’m sold, I’m absolutely sold.”
King: “You don’t like spending this kind of money on the salary cap.”
Cornes: “I don’t and don’t get it confused, it won’t be Carlton but there will be a rival club up there, but we’ve already seen Ross Lyon … on Footy Classified.
“We’ve heard reports of an eight year offer from Sydney, you think they’re going to pay him 400 grand? They’re not.
“I’m saying a team will pay him in the vicinity of a million bucks, I’m not saying he’s worth it.”
King: “If he’s going to get paid $800k+, you want to get more than three disposals in the front half of the ground.”