AFL

4 months ago

Maher and Jenkins react as Blues lose “difference maker” De Koning for rest of regular season

By SEN

Image

Carlton has been dealt a big injury blow with ruckman Tom De Koning set to miss the remainder of the home and away season with a fractured foot.

The 25-year-old spent last night in hospital with a collapsed lung following Sunday’s 107-88 win over North Melbourne and underwent scans on his foot on Monday which confirmed a fracture.

De Koning will now undergo surgery on the foot and Carlton confirmed he’ll miss at least the rest of the home and away season, which lasts for five more weeks before the pre-finals bye and September campaign, should they qualify.

While the Blues haven’t ruled De Koning out of any finals footy with Marc Pittonet all but certain to take his spot in the ruck in the meantime, Carlton tragic Andy Maher thinks it’s a huge loss for the second-placed Blues.

He discussed the injury and what it means for the Blues alongside former Crow and Cat Josh Jenkins on SEN The Run Home.

Maher: “It’s no good.

“The news has come through that he has a punctured lung, which depending on how bad that is, can be not that severe, but it's the foot that’s the worry.”

Jenkins: “The foot is the concern.”

Maher: “Well, he's the ultimate point of difference, isn't he? For whatever team you barrack for if you think you've got a shot of winning the flag this year … you’re looking for your point of difference.”

Jenkins: “The difference maker, he was that even though there’s good back up.

Maher: “It’s a fractured foot for a man of that size, but we don’t know the extent of the injury.

Jenkins: “We were told the rest of the regular season (that he is out).

“If he’s back (for finals), is he 100 per cent? 90 per cent? 80 per cent?

“I know Patrick Cripps has been gigantic and probably moves himself even closer to a second Brownlow Medal, but Tom is the one from my eye that has really transformed the group.”

Maher: “Yeah, I agree.

Jenkins: “With TDK, is (Jacob) Weitering the most valuable with where the team is going?”

Maher: “Weitering is irreplaceable.”

Jenkins: “Then Cripps and then is it Tom?”

Maher: “I think Charlie is more important, but there are others that can kick goals for you.

“There’s no one else on the list who can do what Tom does.”

Since playing as the No. 1 ruck, De Koning has averaged 21.4 disposals, 22.7 hitouts and 8.0 clearances a game.

SENStadium 728x90

Carlton