Former Dandenong Stingray Sam De Koning has etched his name into AFL folklore by being a crucial piece of Geelong’s resounding premiership win over Sydney on Saturday.
De Koning – 21 years old in just his 24th AFL game – received a Norm Smith Medal vote for his 16-disposal, seven-mark and one-goal display.
The key defender couldn’t have picked a better time to slot his maiden AFL goal, finding himself in the right place at the right time when a snap from Patrick Dangerfield skewed onto his chest.
With a premiership medallion draped around his neck, De Koning revealed exactly how he popped up in the goal square.
“That was a great feeling,” he said on the Channel 7 post-game coverage.
“I don’t think I had a touch in the second half, it didn’t come to me, so I went and tried to get one.
“It came to me and I kicked a goal, it was unreal.
“I got followed by my opponent, so I thought that made it fair, it all worked out for me and it was a surreal experience.”
