A St Kilda recruiter has offered a coy response to questions on a recent trade rumour linking the club to off-contract Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning.
A report from earlier this month suggested the Saints have been weighing up offering the 25-year-old a mammoth contract in an attempt to persuade De Koning to Moorabbin.
The Blues big man looks set to be one the more sought-after names in the AFL this year, with Carlton expected to be limited in what they can table the 201cm talent compared to rivals like St Kilda.
De Koning could still decide to remain in the navy blue on less money as Carlton plan to break through for a premiership, however the attraction of sizeable offers from elsewhere are sure to factor into his thinking.
St Kilda could make De Koning one of the best-paid players in the competition, with SEN's Sam Edmund revealing a $12 million, seven-year deal is being mulled over by the Saints.
When quizzed by SEN Breakfast as to whether the Saints have tabled an offer to De Koning, St Kilda talent and player movement lead Simon Dalrymple opted not to give much in response.
"I've only just got back from holiday (laughs)," he said.
"SOS (list manager Stephen Silvagni) and Gubby (head of talent and acquisition Graeme Allan) are in charge of that area. I can forward you their numbers if you want."
The Saints are predicted to be aggressive in this year's player movement market, with North Melbourne midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke and Fremantle ace Andrew Brayshaw also tipped to be players of interest.
Brayshaw is said to be all but signed with the Dockers on a new deal that would see him knock back the opportunity of free agency, while Davies-Uniacke could wait until the coming season is underway to make his contract call.
De Koning, speaking with 9 News this week, said he hasn't paid much attention to the noise surrounding his future.
"There's a lot of talk, but it's probably good not to read into it," he said.
"I don't read into that sort of stuff. I leave that to my manager."
De Koning - who has played 78 games for the Blues - enjoyed a breakout 2024 season after shifting in the sole ruck role under coach Michael Voss.
The Mt Martha junior averaged 16.22 disposals, 10.66 contested possessions and 19.94 hitouts per game from his 18 appearances last year.
