TOM De Koning’s dramatic emergence as one of the game’s pre-eminent ruckmen was not lost on anyone in 2024, least of all the many and varied Carlton senior players who came before.

So it was of no real surprise that ‘TDK’ was adjudged a popular winner of the Spirit of Carlton Award, as voted on by the Club’s former greats, for best personifying its core values both on and off the field.

Having received his award from a Carlton Legend in the form of the dual Club Best and Fairest and premiership player Geoff Southby, De Koning said he was reminded of the magnitude of its worth by a former winner Jack Silvagni, who is himself upholding the tradition set by his grandfather and father.

“To be honoured by the past players is huge for me. I know how much they mean to the Club, the history they have and the success they have had, so it means a lot to me,” De Koning said.

“When I first came to the Club I learned a lot about the history . . . it’s something that really hits you when you first come in and it’s something that also grows once you become a senior player.

“You get to meet past players and legends of the Club and learn about its history, which is such a rich history. I’m looking forward to being part of that and looking forward to the future.”

History will record 2024 as the breakout season for the 25 year-old De Koning who, with a good run at it next year, will chest the banner for game No.100 - and join fellow 100-gamers Creswell Crisp, Doug Williams, Barry Armstrong, Adrian Gleeson, Matthew Lappin and Mitch Robinson whose names are inscribed on the No.12 locker in perpetuity.

But for ‘TDK’ it’s all about the collective – and beyond a well-earned break where he’ll catch a few waves on the Gold Coast, he’ll hit the pre-season with gusto as the 2025 Carlton campaign begins in earnest.