“Surely he is gettable”: Cornes questions Sam De Koning situation at Geelong

Why is nobody speaking about Geelong’s Sam De Koning in trade circles?

That’s what Kane Cornes wants to know with the young key defender out of contract next year and unable to force his way into the Cats’ best 22 for the finals.

De Koning, 23, has missed games late in the season due to a knee injury but is fit now and still Chris Scott hasn’t called on him for this weekend’s Preliminary Final against Brisbane despite the presence of Joe Daniher.

The De Koning situation has prompted Cornes to wonder why his name has not been thrown up in trade period conversations even after starring in the 2022 premiership campaign.

“No one has spoken about him,” Cornes said on SEN’s Sportsday.

“We’re talking about players who are contracted for years on end. I’ve heard about (Chad) Warner and the players coming out of contract next year, and here is a guy that looked ready to explode in 2022.

“You’d just put his magnet at centre half-back for 10 years. I haven’t hard one person mention him as a potential trade target when he’s not in Geelong’s best side right now and may miss out on a premiership.

“Surely he is gettable.”

AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich insisted that Carlton, where Sam’s older brother Tom plays, has shown interest, however, the Cats have made it clear that their athletic 204cm player is going nowhere.

“I’ve done some digging on it. Carlton have asked the question in the past, they would love to reunite the brothers,” said Gabelich.

“They’ve been told that under no circumstances will Sam De Koning be traded from the Cats this October.”

Cornes feels that with the money being thrown around for key defenders in recent times - think Ben McKay at Essendon and Mac Andrew at Gold Coast - that De Koning could put himself in a position to cash in elsewhere.

“What about next year when he comes out of contract if he’s still not playing?,” Cornes said.

“He’s only got until the end of next year which is smart from him. Just do not sign. When you are looking at Ben McKay getting $1.2 (million), c’mon, he’s a more valuable commodity than what Ben McKay is.”

Gabelich replied: “The knee injury came at a bad time.”

Cornes continued: “But last year he wasn’t great either and now he’s not playing. It’s amazing.

“It hurts if you miss (another flag). His brother is at Carlton and if they came with a huge cheque, which Geelong don’t often part with, and what you are getting for key defenders in the game.

“He is the most valuable key defender right now, with Mac Andrew gone, that I think is gettable at the end of, if not this year, then next.

“Tom Stewart didn’t play (in the Qualifying Final) and he still didn’t get a game. Amazing.”

Cornes doubled down on his opinion on SEN Breakfast on Friday morning.

He feels rival clubs, particularly the Blues, should be putting in the work just as Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell did in luring Tom Barrass from West Coast and Josh Battle from St Kilda.

“You would be negligent as a footy club, and Carlton is the one, not to be picking up the phone and doing everything that Sam Mitchell has done to go for Barrass and Battle,” he said further.

“If you’re not in the best 22 when it comes to finals time and the potential to miss a Grand Final, I’d be doing everything I can.

“The key defender market has never been more lucrative and I’d be putting a serious deal in front of him.”

The Cats, without De Koning, meet the Lions at the MCG on Saturday as they look to progress to a third Grand Final in five years.