AFL NEWS: “Surely he is gettable”: Cornes questions Sam De Koning situation at Geelong

Why is nobody speaking about Geelong’s Sam De Koning in trade circles?

That’s what Kane Cornes wants to know with the young key defender out of contract next year and unable to force his way into the Cats’ best 22 for the finals.

De Koning, 23, has missed games late in the season due to a knee injury but is fit now and still Chris Scott hasn’t called on him for this weekend’s Preliminary Final against Brisbane despite the presence of Joe Daniher.

The De Koning situation has prompted Cornes to wonder why his name has not been thrown up in trade period conversations even after starring in the 2022 premiership campaign.

“No one has spoken about him,” Cornes said on SEN’s Sportsday.

“We’re talking about players who are contracted for years on end. I’ve heard about (Chad) Warner and the players coming out of contract next year, and here is a guy that looked ready to explode in 2022.

“You’d just put his magnet at centre half-back for 10 years. I haven’t hard one person mention him as a potential trade target when he’s not in Geelong’s best side right now and may miss out on a premiership.

“Surely he is gettable.”