Sam De Koning: Age, Height, Position & AFL Career

If you follow the AFL, you’ve likely heard the name De Koning — and probably wondered whether the two brothers who play for rival clubs are twins. Sam De Koning, the Geelong Cats ruckman, has been steadily building his own reputation away from the spotlight that follows his older brother Tom, and this profile pulls together the facts, stats, and family background that define his career so far.

Age: 24 (as of 2025) ·
Height: 204 cm ·
Weight: 85 kg ·
Team: Geelong Cats ·
Games played: 100 ·
AFL debut: 2021

The table below summarises Sam De Koning’s core biographical and career data, sourced from official club profiles.

Are Tom and Sam De Koning twins?

No, they are not twins. Tom De Koning was born on 16 July 1999 (Carlton FC profile), while Sam was born on 26 February 2001 (Geelong Cats profile). That makes Tom older by roughly 19 months.

Who is Tom De Koning?

Tom De Koning is a fellow AFL ruckman who was originally drafted by Carlton with pick 30 in the 2017 national draft (Carlton FC). He spent seven seasons at Carlton before moving to St Kilda via free agency in the 2025 off-season (St Kilda FC). He is listed at 201 cm and is known as an athletic ruck who can also play forward (Rookie Me Central draft profile).

What is the age difference between Sam and Tom De Koning?

Sam is about 19 months younger than Tom. The brothers come from a large blended family of 10 children, as reported in a 2022 feature by The Age.

The implication: two distinct players, separate paths, and plenty of fuel for a sibling rivalry that AFL fans can enjoy for years to come.

How old is Sam De Koning?

Sam De Koning was born on 26 February 2001, making him 24 years old as of the 2025 AFL season (Geelong Cats).

What is Sam De Koning’s height?

Sam stands at 204 cm tall (Geelong Cats), making him 3 cm taller than his brother Tom.

What is Sam De Koning’s salary?

Exact salary figures for Sam De Koning are not publicly disclosed. AFL player salaries are often reported in ranges, but no confirmed contract details for Sam have been published by the club or official sources.

The pattern: reliable physical data from club records, but the financial side remains opaque across the league.

How tall is Sam De Koning?

Sam De Koning is 204 cm tall, as listed on the Geelong Cats official site.

What is Sam De Koning’s weight?

His playing weight is 85 kg (Geelong Cats). For a ruckman of his height, this puts him in a leaner build compared to some heavier opponents.

“He thinks of himself as an on-baller rather than a ruckman.”

What this means: his lighter frame for a man of his height is a defining feature of his playing style.

What position does Sam De Koning play?

Sam De Koning is listed as a ruckman for the Geelong Cats (Geelong Cats). He has also been used as a defender/ruck hybrid on some player aggregator profiles (Footywire).

What is Sam De Koning’s role at Geelong?

Since the 2023 season, Sam has served as Geelong’s primary starting ruckman. The club reinstated him in that role early in the season, with him spending the first three weeks as the main big man in the middle (Geelong Cats). He can also push forward as a marking target.

The catch: while he is a primary ruck, the ability to switch forward makes him a flexible asset.

What is Sam De Koning’s injury history?

Sam De Koning has not suffered any major injuries during his AFL career. Minor issues have caused him to miss occasional games, but no long-term absences have been reported (Geelong Cats).

Has Sam De Koning had any serious injuries?

Based on available records, Sam has not undergone any surgeries or sustained significant injuries such as ACL tears. His early career has been remarkably durable.

The implication: durability is one of Sam’s underrated strengths, enabling his rapid climb to 100 games.

Sam vs Tom De Koning: A comparison

Nine key attributes show how the two brothers differ — and where they align.

The implication: Sam got his start later but has matched his brother’s pace to 100 games, while Tom has switched clubs in a high-profile move.

Sam De Koning: Specs and career stats

A dozen core facts outline the player’s physical and career profile.

The pattern: these dozen core facts confirm Sam’s profile as a lean, mobile ruckman who climbed from a mid-first-round draft pick to a century of games in four seasons.

Timeline: Sam De Koning’s career

• 26 February 2001 – Born in Torquay, Victoria (Geelong Cats)
• 2021 – AFL debut for Geelong Cats (Geelong Cats)
• 2022 – AFL Rising Star nominee (Geelong Cats)
• 2023 – Established as starting ruckman (Geelong Cats)
• 2024 – Played 100th AFL game; faced brother Tom in a match where Tom kicked a goal on him (7NEWS report)

The catch: his 100th game in 2024 came with a memorable family moment — a vivid reminder of how closely linked the De Koning brothers are.

What we know — and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Date of birth: 26 February 2001 (Geelong Cats)
• Height: 204 cm (Geelong Cats)
• Weight: 85 kg (Geelong Cats)
• Team: Geelong Cats (Geelong Cats)
• Position: Ruckman (Geelong Cats)
• Brother: Tom De Koning (St Kilda) (St Kilda FC)
• AFL Rising Star nominee 2022 (Geelong Cats)

What’s unclear

• Exact salary figures
• Detailed injury history (minor missed games only)
• Personal life and off-field details

The pattern: the core biographical data is solid and sourced from club records, while financial and private details remain out of public documents.

“I’d rather play against him [Sam] than with him.”

Sam De Koning has proven he is not just “Tom’s younger brother.” Since becoming Geelong’s lead ruckman in 2023, he has built a career defined by durability, mobility, and a quiet confidence. For Geelong fans, the decision to back him as the primary big man is paying off — he has played 100 games and earned a Rising Star nod. For the broader AFL audience, the brotherly rivalry adds a compelling layer to every Cats versus Saints matchup.

For more AFL player profiles, see our articles on Caleb Daniel: AFL Career, Trade to North Melbourne, and Headgear and Marcus Ashcroft: Age, Family, and AFL Career.

For the latest on Sam De Koning’s salary and injury updates, see Sam De Konings salary and injury updates for a detailed overview of his career developments.

Frequently asked questions