CARLTON’S young ruckman Tom De Koning is raring to get back out on the park in his second year in Navy Blue.

The young key position player has been sidelined since March after sustaining a lateral ligament injury to his knee during a Northern Blues practice match.

Having been given the all clear to return to full training, De Koning reflected on his time out of the game in this week’s edition of The Two Tones.

“It’s good to be out of the [knee] brace now, I was stuck in that for about seven weeks,” De Koning said.

“I did my full session [on Tuesday], did a few extras just to get the fitness back and hopefully out playing next week which is exciting.”

Predicting a return through the VFL, the youngster is hopeful for a Round 10 comeback when the Northern Blues face Coburg.

The game will also double up as Northern’s heritage round. 

“Hopefully I’ll be back next weekend against Coburg,” he said.

“I’m really excited. Obviously, I haven’t played a game this year so I’m just pumped to be able to get back out there and play with the boys.”

De Koning made his senior debut for the Blues in Round 22 of last year against the Western Bulldogs.

With two AFL games to his name thus far, the young ruck is hopeful he’ll get his chance at senior level later this season.

“I’ll still be able to play the back half of the year and hopefully get some consistency in games and just work back into it,” he said.

“I’ve never had a real long-term or mid-term injury, so it was a bit hard but there is plenty of support around me and I’ve got all the right people to help me get through.”

De Koning credited injured skipper Sam Docherty with the support through his recovery, joining him in the rehabilitation group as the skipper recovered from his own knee injury.

“Me and ‘Doc’ are really close at the moment. Obviously spending a lot of time together running and doing the extras with our knees, we’ve become pretty close,” he said.

“He just told me that I’ve got to keep my head down, work hard and get through this stage.

“He’s been encouraging me to get the most out of this time and come back bigger and better.”