St Kilda Football Club’s marquee signing Tom De Koning is making significant strides in his recovery from a calf injury, though club officials remain cautiously optimistic about his availability for the season’s inaugural match. The high-profile ruckman, who departed Carlton for a lucrative contract estimated at $1.7 million annually, encountered the setback during pre-season preparations ahead of the Christmas break.
Newly appointed General Manager Lenny Hayes provided an update on De Koning’s condition, indicating positive progress while maintaining pragmatic expectations. “We’re genuinely excited to integrate Tom into our organization,” Hayes stated. “He’s adapting exceptionally well with the squad and has resumed on-field activities, demonstrating promising advancement in his rehabilitation regimen.”
Despite the encouraging signs, Hayes refrained from guaranteeing De Koning’s participation against Collingwood in the Opening Round fixture scheduled for March 8. The club acknowledges several critical milestones must be achieved before finalizing his match readiness. Hayes emphasized De Koning’s professional approach to recovery, noting his diligent work ethic throughout the process.
The Saints’ competitive aspirations hinge significantly on the fitness of both De Koning and key forward Max King, whose own pre-season has been compromised by persistent knee concerns. King’s athletic journey has been marred by extensive injury challenges, limiting him to merely 23 appearances since his breakthrough 2022 campaign after missing the entire 2025 season.
Hayes confirmed King’s anticipated return to full training within weeks, marking a potential culmination of his prolonged rehabilitation. The dual recovery narratives of these pivotal players will substantially influence St Kilda’s strategic preparations and their pursuit of postseason contention.