David King has put Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning in the gun ahead of the club’s Gather Round clash against Fremantle on Saturday.
De Koning has started 2024 in decent fashion, averaging 13 disposals, 0.3 goals, 27.7 hitouts, 2.7 clearances and 2.3 marks a game as Carlton’s No. 1 ruckman through three winning games.
While De Koning has started well, he faces his biggest challenge yet in 2024 up against the in-form Luke Jackson who has been dominant for Fremantle in their 3-0 start averaging 21.7 disposals, 1.3 goals, 22.7 hitouts, 4.0 clearances and 2.7 marks a game.
De Koning has long been a much-hyped player for the Blues with his potential there for all to see, but King thinks he needs to match Jackson in this clash for Carlton to get the job done.
If De Koning is beaten by his younger opponent, King thinks that Freo are every chance of causing an upset.
“I'm putting your man in the gun, Tom De Koning,” King said on SEN Breakfast.
“I think Tom De Koning's got a big matchup. Luke Jackson versus Tom De Koning.
“You (Cornes) have said he’s a million-dollar player. You said he’s worth it (for a rival club).
“I think he's been okay across the first three weeks.
“He's taking on Luke Jackson and if he can get the job done against Jackson, Carlton win.
“But if Jackson is the Jackson we've seen in the last few weeks, then Fremantle are right in this game.”
While De Koning has played 63 games across six seasons, he’s yet to poll a Brownlow vote and King thinks now is the time for the Blue to finally rip a game to shreds.
“So, I think that I'm putting Tom in the gun because I want to see him have that massive game,” King said.
“He’s a like-type (compared to Jackson), so if you are the Luke Jackson of the Carlton Football Club, get it done.
“He's 24, nearly 25 years of age. It's time we saw him rip a game to shreds.”
Saturday’s clash between the Dockers and Blues begins at 4:20 pm (AEDT) on Saturday at the Adelaide Oval.
