Geelong defender Sam De Koning is St Kilda’s latest trade target.

Less than 12 months on from one of the most aggressive off-season periods in AFL history, the Saints are gearing up for another big October with a play that could potentially involve Rowan Marshall.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Saints target Sam De Koning in Marshall trade

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Last year, St Kilda brought in Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni as free agents from Carlton, while Liam Ryan came across from West Coast and Sam Flanders arrived from Gold Coast in respective trades.

And that’s without mentioning their biggest signature of 2025, which was that of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who re-signed on the most lucrative per-season deal in AFL history.

Now they’re eyeing Sam De Koning from the Cats in a bid to pair him with his brother Tom, should Marshall decide he wants out of Moorabbin.

Marshall tried to get to Geelong last year but was held to his contract. This year, it’s seen as much more likely that the 31-year-old will get his wish, despite still having one more year left to run on his contract.

“They believe that if Rowan Marshall, in readiness for a trade request, if that comes again, the Saints want to try and prise Sam De Koning out of the Geelong footy club to bring him to Moorabbin to play with his brother,” Mitch Cleary told The Agenda Setters on Wednesday night.

“Now, they had a crack a couple of years ago when Sam De Koning last re-signed to try and get Tom and him together before Tom joined as a free agent. That was not the case — he re-signed at the Cats, Sam De Koning.

“But the view from the Saints is that if Rowan Marshall is to request a trade again, they don’t care about picks, they want players, and Sam De Koning is their man.”

Sam De Koning is the latest target for St Kilda. Credit: JAMES ROSS/AAPIMAGE

Former Sydney, Hawthorn and Collingwood midfielder Tom Mitchell said he would fit in well at the Saints.

“I think it probably helps Cal Wilkie, Jack Silvagni behind the ball,” Mitchell said.

“He takes intercept marks and can also defend, but he also plays second ruck from the back half. That’s something that only Geelong really do, rucking from the back half. Not many teams do it, so he is flexible.

“I do wonder as well, could that be a straight swap, Marshall for De Koning? Could that happen? It doesn’t happen often in footy.”

Tom Morris said Marshall’s decision could depend on what Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters — who is weighing up offers from Geelong, the Western Bulldogs and Richmond — wants to do.

“I think it’s heavily linked to what Zak Butters has to do,” he said.

“But I think there is a world where Rowan Marshall walks in and says, ‘I want to be traded to Geelong’, and then the Saints have to get something back. And last year, they didn’t want a draft pick.

“So if it is that they want Sam De Koning, then that makes some sort of sense, doesn’t it?”

Cleary added: “I think this year, it’s more about Ross Lyon going into the last year of a contract.

“Picks aren’t going to help them; they’ve been to the draft, they want players that can play now and help them win games of footy in 2027.

“Sam De Koning is contracted for one more year. He’s a pre-agent this year, becomes a free-agent next year. He’s the guy they’ve identified.”

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Nick Riewoldt called it a win-win for both clubs, if De Koning and Marshall were to effectively trade places.

“I just look at the need for both clubs,” Riewoldt said.

“What do Geelong need? Edwards, young player, good. Like, he played some good footy this year, but to put in a Rowan Marshall into that squad would be amazing.

“And the Saints need a key defender. This is a part of one of their desperate needs behind the footy.

“They need other stuff as well, but this is a piece you could lock away for a long period of time.

“So I think if you’re the Saints, you do it in a heartbeat. And if you’re Geelong, if you’re able to get Rowan Marshall in, you’re able to get Zak Butters in, you’re able to get Toby Greene in, then you’re in flag mode straight away, if you’re not already.

Cleary clarified that De Koning himself hasn’t made any indication that he wants to leave the Cattery.

“I just want to stress, there’s been no inclination from Sam De Koning to this point that he’ll entertain this. He’s got a year to run at Geelong. He’s happy there,” Cleary said.

“But the Saints have six weeks to get to work to try and change his mind.”

Morris added: “My understanding is that Geelong will never say this publicly because they need to keep their bargaining power. But they would be open to the conversation if the deal was right coming back the other way.”