Sam De Koning ready to ruck & could another young Cat be the next Mark Blicavs?

After a few attempts at the role in 2024, Sam De Koning is ready to lead the ruck for Geelong this season, according to Andrew Mackie.

The Executive GM of Football at the Cats, Mackie said the former key defender has been training as a ruckman over summer and got a chance to play the role in the club’s practice match against Hawthorn on Monday.

“Yeah, he has (spent the summer preparing to play in the ruck). He had surgery at the end of the year on his knee, so to get confidence out of playing a game of footy and he’s done a great job since the end of the year,” Mackie told SEN’s Whateley.

“He’s done a lot of work. He’s physically ready to do it. I thought he was really jumpy and bouncy in that game.

“He’s so long and when he can jump he’s got great hands and great touch and at his best he’s a bit of a game changer for us. I’m looking forward to what he can do for us.”

Key defender Connor O’Sullivan caught the eye on Monday as well, with the former first-round pick pushing for senior selection.

Mackie said he reminds him of a young Mark Blicavs.

“He’s very close (to senior selection). Yesterday was very pleasing. He’s been doing that all pre-season,” Mackie said.

“Physically, he’s an athlete, runs really well, can play tall or small. To see him get his feet going and intercept the ball was impressive.

“That new-age type player, we’ve been lucky enough to have Mark Blicavs for a long time now and Connor is the closest thing to Mark the way he can move and run and play a variety of roles.

“It’s a good problem to have with him (in the selection mix).”

Geelong faces Essendon on the 25th of February in the AAMI Community Series, before hosting Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium in Round 1.