St Kilda favourite Nick Riewoldt has endorsed the club’s ambitious $12 million pursuit of Tom De Koning, whose contract with the Blues expires at season’s end, sparking significant speculation about his future. Reports indicate St Kilda may offer De Koning a lucrative long-term deal worth approximately $1.7 million per season, potentially making him the highest-paid player in AFL history.
On Triple M’s Mick in the Morning, Riewoldt expressed confidence in long-term contracts, stating, “they aren’t as frightening as they appear.” He highlighted De Koning’s promising talent and the advantage of having an established ruckman like Rowan Marshall at the club. Riewoldt noted that while big contracts often draw criticism, they can be structured flexibly.
Meanwhile, St Kilda’s injury toll is mounting, with key players Max King, Mason Wood, and Jack Sinclair undergoing scans after a challenging training session, raising concerns about their fitness ahead of the season opener against the Crows on March 16. King, who has faced ongoing injury struggles, has been sent for knee scans, and both Wood and Sinclair are dealing with lower leg concerns. St Kilda’s football operations manager, David Misson, urged patience regarding injury updates until further assessments are available.