IS SAM OUR NEXT HARRY?

Teen eyes off spot left by Harry exit

TEENAGER Sam De Koning says he is eyeing off a spot in the Geelong team for 2021.

The key-position youngster is hopeful a restructured second-tier competition will help his push for a senior debut.

De Koning (right), the No 19 pick in the 2019 draft, spent last year in the Cats’ Gold Coast hub, but like many players found it difficult to put his name up for selection with no organised competition.

The 19-year-old said while the retirement of Harry Taylor could open a door for him this year, he was open to playing anywhere as required.

“I am looking to play senior footy this year but at this point in pre-season I am just looking at the next session in front of me and taking what the coaches give me and using all the resources I can to be the best player I can be and giving myself the best shot of making the senior side,” De Koning said.

“Obviously with Harry Taylor retiring recently, I could see a pathway more easily into the team through the defensive side of my game, but I am sure I will be switching from the defence to the forward line throughout pre-season to work on both.

“Last year was a bit hectic with all of the different games we had to play with low numbers and no real schedule, so I think this year will be better if we can get some structure and format into our games.

“It will mean we can play our games on the weekend, perform how we want to, and if not go back to the drawing board and have a structured week and put the things we have learnt into place the next week with genuine numbers and good opposition.

“So I think it will definitely be a lot easier to build some momentum throughout the season and hopefully put my hand up to gain senior selection.”

De Koning has been discussed as a potential long-term defender, but has spent much of the summer working with forward coach Corey Enright.

He said he had enjoyed the opportunity to learn another component of the game with the triple premiership player.

“I worked with Scarlo (Matthew Scarlett) as a defender for the majority of last year but they have flicked me around this pre-season to get my forward game up to another level,” De Koning said.

“It has been really good learning from Boris (Enright) and players like Hawk (Tom Hawkins) and Jez (Jeremy Cameron).

“It is good to go one-on-one against those boys, which also helps my defensive skills.

“I have always thought of myself as a versatile player and have talked with the coaches about getting both parts of my game up to an elite level so I can play in either position.”