SOME players wait a lifetime in football to be part of a win which comes after the siren.
For Kade Simpson, it took 336 games. For Tom De Koning, it took only four — and he won’t be forgetting his first win in AFL football anytime soon.
Of course, De Koning wasn’t even the newest Blue to revel in last night’s celebrations, with Matthew Cottrell playing his second game and Josh Honey making his debut.
But after three years on the list, a two-year wait between senior games and injuries to overcome, De Koning couldn’t believe his luck that his first win came in such a fashion.
“That was crazy. I’m just in shock,” De Koning said.
“It’s not a bad way to win your first game of AFL footy, absolutely! I was talking to the older boys and they were saying how it’s the best moment they’ve ever had in footy.
“We had a pretty crazy game against them last year and they were just saying how that moment in footy, you can’t beat that.”
While plenty in years to come will claim they had the best seat in the house at Optus Stadium, De Koning had as good a view as anyone from the goal line.
He didn’t want to go the early crow, but he was just as quick to join in on the celebrations once the result was assured.
“I was on the line. We were making sure everyone had a man and was shepherding someone so they couldn’t get a fly at it: it didn’t need it at all!
“As soon as I saw it was sailing through, I just sprinted to try and get in there as quickly as possible: Eddie got a good tackle in.
“It was a crazy kick. It sailed straight through: the goal umpire had the soul arch going he was bending back that far.”
As for De Koning’s personal performance, it was another impressive showing from the 21-year-old big man in his maiden game as the first ruck.
With Marc Pittonet on the sidelines, De Koning said he relished the chance to assume the responsibility at the centre bounce.
“It’s unfortunate that ‘Pitto’ had to come out of the side but I was more than happy to step up and play that role,” he said.
“It’s such a good opportunity to get some ruck time, it’s something I’ve been striving towards for a long time.
“I’m getting a bit more time compared to last year and it’s where I love playing, I love being around the ball and I love the contest side of it.”
The King’s verdict
On good mate Matthew Cottrell’s first goal:
I was on the wing and saw him with his blistering pace straight past the contest: a clean ground ball, a left foot snap, how you going. I couldn’t believe it, I sprinted over to him as quick as I could.
Obviously we’re pretty close mates so it was a pretty amazing moment. He had a really good game and it’s great to see he’s brought that reserves form to the ones. He’s thriving: it’s good to see.
On Matthew Kreuzer:
Working with Kreuz has been awesome for me. He’s teaching me a lot when it comes to my craft and getting my ready for games, with a lot of vision and scouting of the opposition: he has basically become the ruck coach.
I’m pretty fortunate to be able to have ‘Kreuz’ there whenever I want to go through vision or to work with me in training. It’s awesome: I’ve learnt so much off him and he’s such a nice guy. He’s so happy to help me out whenever I want.
On his body and past injuries:
I’m feeling really good, I’ve got a lot of confidence in my body now. Those two injuries were really unfortunate, they had nothing to do with anything structurally: they were just freak accidents. I’m back feeling really confident and I’m starting to feel a bit stronger in the contest compared to last year.
I’m still working hard in the gym to put on a bit more size but at the moment, I’m playing to my strengths and trying to jump over my opponents. The boys are giving me some good feedback.
On singing the song for the first time:
The adrenaline running through me at the end of the game was crazy and to be able to be in the circle with everyone involved… everyone has come on this journey with us. It’s good to see everyone smiling and get the reward today: it makes it a lot sweeter.
