'He will get big money thrown at him': Big decisions loom as Carlton stars set to be targeted
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Carlton has some big decisions to make about its future and faces a looming reality check surrounding the top-end of its list.
The Blues have started the season 0-2, including losing to wooden spoon favourites Richmond, with question marks already appearing about their depth and whether they can contend for a premiership this year.
The club has a top-heavy list, with All-Australians Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay all reportedly earning around the seven-figure mark.
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Tom De Koning will join that group if he chooses to recommit to the Blues this year and the question Carlton must ask themselves is whether they can contend when roughly 34 per cent of their $17.7 million salary cap is being absorbed by six players.
The Blues already made decisions in the off-season to move on from the likes of Matthew Kennedy, Matthew Owies, Jack Martin and Caleb Marchbank in part to free up salary cap space, knowing they have some big deals to sign.
This leaves their depth somewhat wanting and it has shown across the first fortnight of their season.
On top of De Koning, vice-captain Walsh is out of contract and becomes a free agent in 2026 and AFL Media reporter Cal Twomey expects clubs to come hard for the midfielder this year.
"(Sam) Walsh will get big offers this year. He is already one of the Blues' million-dollar men and shapes as their next captain," Twomey told AFL Media's Gettable.
"As a pre-agent (the year before free agency), he will get big money thrown at him this year, I think, particularly if Carlton's woes continue.
Carlton's Sam Walsh looms as one of the big free agents of 2026. Getty
"Do I think he goes, no. I do think he'll have some (offers) thrown at him this year and Carlton will want to lock him in."
De Koning meanwhile is reportedly weighing up a massive offer from St Kilda and while the Blues are offering him a seven-figure annual salary, the Saints have far more cash to splash.
He spoke exclusively with WWOS before round one regarding his future.
"I understand that there's a lot of talk about my future, and it's something that comes with the territory when you're in the public eye," he said.
"But I try to focus on the things I can control, which is my performance on the field and my day-to-day routine. I've learned over time that getting caught up in the outside noise whether it's about big offers or expectations doesn't really serve me."
The ruckman is a free agent and Carlton would be certain to land a premium compensation pick if he departs.
Will Tom De Koning leave Carlton at the end of the season? Getty
The Blues don't have control of their first-round pick this year as they previously traded it to Hawthorn as part of acquiring the third pick in the 2024 National Draft, and letting De Koning go would free up salary cap space and allow them to bring in some top-end youth.
If 2025 does spiral for Carlton, could the club consider a soft reset? It would be a tough sell to Blues fans who have seen four finals victories in the past 15 years.
De Koning has emerged in the last 12 months as one of the game's top ruckmen and has started 2025 in blistering form.
However, with two big contract decisions to come in the next two seasons, the opportunity to reset is there if Carlton chooses to take it.
