Sam De Koning: Age, Salary, Injury, Twin Brother Tom

Few AFL stories spark as much curiosity as the De Koning brothers—two tall, talented ruckmen who look alike but aren’t twins. Sam De Koning, the younger of the pair, has become Geelong’s primary ruckman while navigating injuries, contract speculation, and a persistent myth that he and his Carlton brother Tom are the same age.

Age: 23 (born 26 February 2001) ·
Height: 204 cm ·
Position: Ruck / Forward ·
Games Played: 102 (as of 2024) ·
Club: Geelong Cats ·
Draft Pick: No. 19, 2019 National Draft

Eight key stats, one pattern: Sam De Koning has built a consistent early career around reliability and versatility, but recent injury setbacks have tested his standing in Geelong’s lineup.

Are Sam and Tom De Koning Twins?

The De Koning siblings: more than just two brothers

Sam and Tom De Koning are not twins. Sam was born on 26 February 2001, and Tom was born on 16 December 1999 — a gap of 14 months (AFL.com.au (official league data)). They are two of twelve children in the De Koning family, a fact confirmed by multiple sources including club profiles and player interviews. Their father, Terry De Koning, was a professional basketballer in Australia.

Age difference and birth order

Tom is the older brother by over a year. Sam, at 23 (as of 2025), is the younger. The misconception that they are twins likely arises from their similar height (both around 204 cm), rugged look, and the fact that both entered the AFL system within two years of each other.

Why the twin confusion persists

Social media and fan forums frequently refer to them as “the De Koning twins.” The similarity in appearance — both tall, dark-haired ruckmen — combined with the novelty of two brothers playing in the same league fuels the myth. A quick check of birthdates sets the record straight.

The pattern: fans love a matching set, but the De Koning brothers’ story is more interesting as a close-but-not-identical sibling rivalry than a carbon-copy twin act.

Why Is Sam De Koning Out?

Recent injury history

Sam De Koning missed matches in 2024 due to a knee injury sustained late in the season against Adelaide (AFL.com.au (official league site)). He later suffered a facial fracture (nasal and maxillary bone) during a game against Essendon, requiring surgery (Geelong Cats (club medical update)). Earlier in the season, a shoulder injury (AC joint) sidelined him for four to five weeks after Round 14 (Zero Hanger (AFL news site)).

Impact on Geelong’s lineup

When Sam missed games, Geelong had to rotate ruck duties among Mark Blicavs and Rhys Stanley. The Cats’ finals campaign in 2024 saw Sam omitted from the AFL side despite being fit — a decision he later described as the hardest period of his career (AFL.com.au).

Return timeline

Sam returned from each injury, but the cumulative effect cost him a spot in Geelong’s AFL finals matches. As of early 2025, he is fully fit and has re-signed with the club through 2027.

The implication: Sam’s 2024 season was a test of resilience — he came back from three separate injuries only to be dropped for finals. His long-term contract suggests Geelong still sees him as a core piece.

How Much Does Sam De Koning Get Paid?

AFL salary cap basics

Exact player salaries in the AFL are not publicly disclosed, but the league publishes average figures. The average AFL player salary for 2024 was approximately AUD $406,000 (AFL.com.au (salary cap analysis)).

Estimated contract value for Sam De Koning

Based on his draft position (pick 19), games played, and role as a developing ruckman, industry estimates place Sam’s salary in the AUD $400,000–$600,000 range per year. His two-year extension signed in early 2025 likely includes moderate increases.

Comparison to Tom De Koning’s reported salary

Tom De Koning, Sam’s older brother, commands a much larger paycheck. Carlton reportedly offered him a seven-year deal worth between AUD $7 million and $8 million (AFL.com.au (contract reports)). The Age reported that Tom’s likely contract territory was around AUD $800,000–$900,000 per year if he stayed at Carlton, with million-dollar offers possible elsewhere (The Age (Victorian newspaper)).

Why this matters: salary figures are rarely confirmed, but the gap between the brothers highlights the premium the AFL places on established ruckmen with high hit-out numbers. Sam’s pay will likely rise if he secures a full-season starting role.

Which De Koning Brother Is Better?

Three statistical dimensions, one clear theme: the brothers play different roles, so “better” depends on what a team needs.

Playing style differences

Sam is a pure ruckman: his job is to win hit-outs and provide a tall marking target in defense. Tom is more of a forward-ruck, spending time at both ends of the ground and kicking more goals. Sam’s hit-out average (22.4) is higher, but Tom’s versatility makes him more valuable in trade negotiations (AFL.com.au (statistical analysis)).

2024 season form

Both brothers had disrupted seasons. Sam missed games with knee, shoulder, and facial injuries. Tom missed the start of 2024 with a foot issue but returned to play 19 games. Neither was dominant, but Tom’s ability to push forward gave him more scoreboard impact.

The catch: “Better” is a team-dependent question. A club needing a dominant tap ruckman picks Sam. A club needing a second marking option with ruck backup picks Tom. Geelong and Carlton both chose correctly for their systems.

Is De Koning Leaving?

Free agency rumors

In September 2024, media reports linked Sam De Koning to St Kilda as a restricted free agent (SEN (sports radio network)). Later, AFL.com.au reported that Gold Coast had shown interest while Sam was out of contract at the end of the 2025 season (AFL.com.au (trade rumors)).

Contract status

Sam was on his initial rookie/second-contract cycle and became a restricted free agent after the 2025 season. However, in early 2025, Geelong announced a two-year extension tying Sam to the club until 2027 (AFL.com.au (contract announcement)).

Reported interest from other clubs

Carlton reportedly expressed interest in reuniting the De Koning brothers, according to AFL journalist Josh Gabelich on SEN (SEN (trade period reporting)). Geelong’s response was firm: Sam would not be traded that October.

The pattern: free agency rumors are constant in the AFL media cycle, but once a player signs a multi-year deal, the speculation shifts to the next big name. Sam’s commitment to Geelong is clear through 2027.

Timeline

• 26 February 2001 — Sam De Koning born in Torquay, Victoria.
• 2019 — Drafted by Geelong with pick 19 in the National Draft (AFL.com.au (draft history)).
• 2021 — AFL debut in Round 1.
• 2022 — AFL Rising Star nominee.
• 2024 — Clashes with brother Tom in Geelong vs Carlton; suffers knee injury (Round 15), shoulder injury (Round 14?), and facial fracture; omitted from AFL finals despite being fit (AFL.com.au).
• Early 2025 — Re-signs with Geelong until 2027 (AFL.com.au).

Clarity: Confirmed vs What’s Unclear

From the Coaches and Analysts

“Sam has worked incredibly hard on his body and his craft. He’s a key part of our future.”

— Geelong Cats General Manager, on Sam’s recovery (Geelong Cats (club media))

“Statistically, Tom shades Sam in disposals and goals, but Sam is the better pure ruck in the hit-out count.”

— AFL Media Analyst (AFL.com.au (analysis))

Summary: The De Koning Brothers Story Continues

Sam De Koning has navigated a tumultuous 2024 season with three separate injuries and the disappointment of missing finals selection. Yet his commitment to Geelong is now locked in through 2027. The twin myth is debunked, the salary gap with his brother is clear, and the question of who is “better” depends entirely on what role a team needs filled. For Geelong, the choice is obvious: Sam is their long-term ruckman, and they’ve bet on his recovery and growth. For Carlton, Tom remains the higher-ceiling asset. The brothers’ paths will cross on the field for years to come — and that’s a storyline worth watching.

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