Sam is the ninth child of his parents, who have ten children in all. she followed the path of her father and brother and became a member of the AFL’s Geelong Football Club. He has an extraordinary bond with his brother. When asked about his willingness to play alongside his brother, he said he would rather play against him than play alongside him.
The younger brother wants to prove his potential after facing his older brother, who is more experienced than him in the sport. Sam was supposed to start his AFL campaign in 2020 but due to the covid-19 pandemic everything in the world has come to a standstill including the AFL. Geelong Football Club selected him in the 2021 National Draft. He made his AFL debut against North Melbourne in the fifth round of the 2021 season at the GMHBA Stadium.
Sam’s brother Tom De Koning has more AFL experience as he made his debut three years earlier than his younger brother. He didn’t have a good start to his club career as he faced serious health issues before he was called up by the team to play in the AFL. Tom fell during a ruck match in July 2017 and injured his kidney; nonetheless, he recovered and Carlton selected him with the 30th selection in the 2017 AFL National Draft.
He made his AFL debut in round 22 at Docklands Stadium against the Western Bulldogs in 2018 after having his contract extended until 2021. He scored his first goal in the second quarter while collecting 11 eliminations, five makes and five goals.
