The importance of having Carlton bignman Tom de Koning up and running for Thursday’s season opener against Richmond is significant with star forward Charlie Curnow unavailable.

But it’s the longer-term presence of the 25-year-old, who can also provide a strong forward presence, that hovers over the Blues as one of the AFL’s most sought-after free agents weighs up his future that continues to occupy the thoughts of Carlton fans and his teammates.

De Koning has been offered a deal in excess of $10m to move to St Kilda and teammate Zac Williams, who made a big move to the Blues from GWS as a free agent himself, knows what his teammate is going through.

“For me, it was a long process. I was still going through all that stuff during Covid. I was away from family and stuff like that,” Williams said.

“It is a big decision, but at the same time Tom loves it here at the club and he knows that all the boys and all the staff here love him as well.

“That’ll just work itself out through the year and I think Tom’s just looking forward to starting the season and playing some good football.”

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Williams said the big dollars being thrown at de Koning had given all the Blues players fuel for fun, but no one was putting any pressure on him to make a call.

“Some funny little comments from the boys around the changeroom,” he said.

“Him and the club will work it out when it needs to be worked out.”

Carlton midfielder Adam Cerra labelled de Koning a “barometer” for the Blues who are prohibitive favourites to take down Richmond who are a near-universal pick to finish last in 2025.

“We’re lucky enough to have a few ruckmen that are very good in the air and compete really well,” Cerra said.

“We saw last Friday just how dominant Tom can be.

“When he’s up and going, he can be a real barometer for us, so super excited to play with him kicking off this Thursday.”

Curnow is “training hard” and expected to be available for his team’s second-round clash with Hawthorn.