The Blues’ young playing list was faced with a number of challenges in 2018, and as a result, finished the year with fewer wins than previous seasons.

However, the valuable experience gained by first and second-year players, coupled with the resilience built within the team, will no doubt hold the Club in good stead for years to come.

With the side now on a break, we’re analysing each player’s year in statistics. Here’s the review for Carlton’s No.12, Tom De Koning. 

GAMES

2018: 2

GOALS

2018: 1

BY THE NUMBERS (averages in brackets)

Disposals: 16 (8) Kicks: 6 (3) Handballs: 10 (5) Marks: 6 (3) Contested possessions: 10 (5)

2018 IN FOCUS

Tom De Koning won’t be forgetting his debut year anytime soon.

Taken with pick No.30 in the 2017 national draft, De Koning arrived at the Blues as a player for the future. His versatility saw him play forward and ruck in equal measure at VFL level.

Showing his abundance of natural talent, a string of exciting performances for the Northern Blues saw the developing tall rewarded with a senior debut in Round 22.

De Koning played the final two matches of the year, giving the young tall a taste of what’s to come in hopefully a fruitful career for the Mt Martha product.

The scenes which met the announcement of his first game should spur on a big summer for potentially the next cult hero at Ikon Park.

BEST PERFORMANCE

De Koning’s first senior game had Bluebaggers pining for more, with the youngster putting in an impressive cameo against Western Bulldogs. He went onto finish with 11 disposals, five marks and a debut goal.

His best game in the VFL came in Round 10, when he collected 15 disposals and hauled in seven marks (four contested) in torrential conditions against Richmond.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

Carlton Media caught the reaction of De Koning and his teammates when he was told he’d be making his senior debut. And the excitement was palpable.

Much-loved by his teammates, this was further reflected when he was swamped by the other 17 Blues on the field after he kicked his first goal.