Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning is the hottest free agent on the open market in 2023. And he could also be the most polarising, according to Fox Footy experts.

The 23-year-old, who has just begun his sixth year in the competition, is one of the league’s most untapped big men when it comes to potential.

Drafted as a skinny ruckman at Pick 30 in the 2017 draft, De Koning has taken time to build into his AFL career. After two games in his first season in 2018 and none in his second during some injury-riddled years, he broke through for regular games in the Covid-impacted seasons.

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Now with 42 games under his belt and having completed his first full pre-season of his AFL career, clubs are enquiring about his playing future for 2024 and beyond.

Yet debate still rages on just how much De Koning is worth on the open market.

Earlier this month, The Age reported the Swans were preparing to offer De Koning an eight-year deal to move to the Harbour City. Then veteran journalist Damian Barrett last week reported on Footy Classified St Kilda was preparing a big offer for De Koning with new list manager Stephen Silvagni – the man who drafted De Koning to Carlton – poised to look closely at the out-of-contract ruckman.

Speaking on Fox Footy on Thursday night, Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph reported that Carlton believes De Koning “wants to stay” at the club, despite “significant interest” from the Swans and Saints, as well as Geelong.

“It is giving him the rucking opportunities he demands and even has the cash to give him a hefty pay rise,” Ralph told Fox Footy.

“I think that deal (that Carlton is offering) will be around two years and $600,000 a season.

“You just cannot get anywhere near the $800,000 that rivals will throw at him per season. So if he wants to be Carlton’s long-term ruckman, he will have to give up millions in guaranteed cash before he eventually cashes in on his own massive Blues payday.

“He’s probably a $450,000 player on established form, (but) the Blues are aware of the upside and potential.

“Sydney’s throwing around eight-year deals (and) I think St Kilda would probably go very close to that.

“Do you take the two years and say: ‘I’m going to cash in later on?’ Or do you say ‘I just can’t give up that much in terms of guaranteed money?’”

De Koning has experienced mixed results in his opening two games of the season. He was the solo ruckman against Richmond and Toby Nankervis for minimal returns, registering 13 disposals, three tackles and 24 hit-outs as he was worked over around the ground by the more senior big man.

He followed up on Thursday night against Geelong, this time with support from late inclusion Marc Pittonet. Despite Pittonet’s inclusion, De Koning still shouldered the majority of the ruck load, yielding 11 disposals, six tackles and 22 hit-outs from 72 per cent game time.

Dual premiership Kangaroos David King said while the lump sums of money clubs will offer De Koning will be “hard to knock back”, he is yet to see the justification De Koning is worth the big pay packet.

“I haven’t seen Tom do as much just yet,” King said on Fox Footy ahead of Thursday night’s Blues-Cats clash.

“It’s all on potential and I understand he may get there, but it sort of worries me, that big money, without hard, tangible evidence.”

But three-time Coleman Medallist Jason Dunstall said De Koning’s age and potential would have several rival clubs excited about the prospect of signing him.

“He’s going to get some massive offers isn’t he? And some offers that I think are overinflated,” Dunstall told Fox Footy.

“But it’s because of his size and because of his age and the fact that he’s got a long future (that offers will come).”

Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna added: “If it’s not a lot of money and you’re happy where you are, generally you stay. But if it comes to a point where it’s life-changing the difference, you do have to consider it.”