RUCK coach Matthew Kreuzer has high hopes for his young ruckman in Tom De Koning after his 2022 season. 

Kreuzer has been a ruck coach with the Blues since his retirement in 2020 and has been working with De Koning, Marc Pittonet and Alex Mirkov since then, imparting his knowledge from his 189 games in Navy Blue.

Knowing that ruckmen take a bit longer to develop because of their size, Kreuzer has been able to use his own experience to help De Koning - a former teammate - step into the main ruck role. 

“Tom is still young and growing into his body while learning the game,” Kreuzer said. 

“For him to play the games he did for us and do a really good job, it was really pleasing to see.”

After Pittonet went down with a PCL injury in Round 6, sidelining him for the majority of the season, De Koning was given the task of being the number one ruck for Carlton.

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Kreuzer speaks on 'Ride to Respect', De Koning's growth

Ruck Coach Matthew Kreuzer spoke to Channel 9 about the upcoming Carlton IN Business initiative, Ride to Respect, a ride he'll be doing with cycling commentator Matthew Keenan to raise awareness and funds for Carlton Respects.

This resulted in him playing his most games in a season (19), producing his best work in the air in 2022, averaging over 17 hitouts and 1.5 contested marks per game throughout the season.

With the return of Pittonet following post-season knee surgery and development of Mirkov, De Koning will be able to put what he’s learnt to the test after an interrupted pre-season last year as he looks to take his game to another level.

“I know he’s taken a lot of confidence out of [his performances] this year,” he said.  

“He's looking forward to a big pre-season and a big 2023.”