PRESS CONFERENCE TAKEAWAYS: DE KONING EYES RUCK ROLE AS CATS PREPARE FOR HAWTHORN CLASH
Cats defender Sam De Koning fronted the media ahead of Geelong’s upcoming match simulation against Hawthorn, outlining key pre-season priorities, singling out a standout young teammate, and confirming he is in contention for a ruck role in 2026.
De Koning highlighted that his off-season focus has centred on foundational physical development and team cohesion. “Building strength, endurance and trying to get consistency together,” he said. “I have been working with my teammates on our plans for the season going forward. But just the classics, building strength and running power along with consistency.”
When asked which players had caught his eye during training, the defender reserved special praise for young midfielder Jhye Clark. “I have really liked what Jhye Clark has been able to do over the pre-season,” De Koning noted. “He has been stacking sessions together, and some of the performances that he has put out at training has been impressive to see. He is one that I have been looking at closely and been really impressed by. He is a top-quality footballer, he is definitely worth the spot in the side. I obviously don’t pick the side, but I am really hoping he gets a chance.”
In a significant revelation, De Koning confirmed that a move into the ruck is under consideration for the new campaign. “The ruck is definitely in play,” he stated. “I pride myself on being able to be a flexible player for the team. If the coaches see me in that role, then I definitely see myself as a multi-faceted player that can play in multiple positions. It is definitely on the cards for 2026.”
He also welcomed the league’s ruck rule changes, suggesting they play to his strengths. “I think that my athleticism, in terms of jumping and not being blocked out of the way by some of the ruckmen who like to come across the line, I know that I defaulted to that position,” De Koning explained. “But I think that the new rule of being able to jump really helps my game in the centre bounces, for sure. We have been able to work over opposition rucks well in the past by utilising multiple ruckmen across the ground, and with the new rules about the quicker ball-ups, it is going to be good for us.”
Looking ahead to the season, De Koning expressed confidence in the squad’s potential. “We have got all the right things,” he said. “We have got all the key players and we are really confident in the side that we have. Everyone is vying for selection, it is a really good competitive environment at the moment. I think just pushing each other to our limits over pre-season, and working that into a game plan that we think will stack up against the opposition teams. We are really confident going forward.”
