WHEN Tom De Koning re-signed at the Carlton Football Club for another two years, he singled out the environment that’s been created at IKON Park as a key reason behind staying.
Heading into year three under Michael Voss, he expects that to grow even further.
Speaking to media on Friday morning prior to the Blues’ open training session, De Koning was asked about how the Club’s culture would allow the team’s newest players to fit in seamlessly.
His response was emphatic.
“It’s been two years that we’ve all been together since we got the new coaching group. We’ve really been able to knuckle down on our culture and what means most to us,” De Koning said.
“For new players coming in, it’s really clear. That’s a big opportunity for them to come in and fit in pretty seamlessly, which they have been able to do.
“We’re really happy with where we’re at from a culture point of view, and our standards are really driven by the leaders all the way down.”
Adding layers is a consistent them at Carlton this season, whether it’s culture off the field to brand and standards on it.
The Blues are under no illusions of the importance of a full, consistent season, having taken their supporters on a thrill ride in the second half of the campaign in 2023 after having plenty of ground to make up following a slow start.
For De Koning and the team, building consistency is paramount.
“We learned a lot last year. In the second half of the year, we were able to find a bit more of our own brand and bring a bit more consistency,” he said.
“This pre-season is a massive opportunity for us to continue on that, continue figuring out what works for us and our brand of footy — which is a tough, selfless brand of footy. We’re all really buying into that, and if we keep building on that in this coming season, we’ll put our best foot forward to win games.”
As for De Koning himself, he doesn’t want to limit himself to one position on the ground, which worked so effectively for him throughout the 2023 campaign.
“I’m really open to playing both ruck and forward. For me at the moment, it’s a really good opportunity to develop both sides of my game.
“I’ve been working up forward a lot with Charlie, Harry and ‘SOS’, and I’ve also been able to continue working on my ruck craft. I’m really trying to build both parts of my game.”
