Carlton will receive a first-round compensation pick (currently Pick 9) for the departure of Tom De Koning, as the ruck joins Blues teammate Jack Silvagni in a move to St Kilda.
De Koning joins St Kilda as a restricted free agent, with the Blues opting not to match the Moorabbin-based club's mega offer for the 26-year-old.
The extra selection adds to Carlton's first-round haul for the 2025 National Draft, having been compensated with Pick 19 (band 2 compensation) for the unrestricted free agency departure of defender Jack Silvagni earlier on Friday.
These picks will help the Baggers secure enough draft points to deal with the likely top-10 bid for exciting father-son prospect Harry Dean when the National Draft rolls around in November.
De Koning expressed his excitement to play with St Kilda in 2026 and beyond, highlighting their impressive young crop of talent as a reason for his move to the club.
"I'm absolutely pumped to be joining St Kilda," De Koning said on Friday.
"From the outside you can see how driven and united this playing group is. There's a real determination to get the best out of themselves and each other, and I want to contribute to that.
"Players like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager, Mitch Owens and a whole group of emerging players are showing what can be achieved when you're aligned and hungry for success.
"To join that environment is something I'm really looking forward to."
De Koning thanked Carlton for helping him emerge into one of the league's most versatile big men but noted several appealing factors he couldn't pass up on when St Kilda approached him.
“Carlton will always be the place where my AFL journey started, and for that I will be forever grateful," De Koning said.
"My focus is now firmly on everything I can do to prove myself to my teammates, coaches and the St Kilda supporters, while doing everything I can to help drive us forward.
"The stability of the club, the quality of the coaches and the lifestyle the Bayside affords are also huge factors.
"I feel like this is the perfect place to challenge myself and take my footy to the next level."
St Kilda Head of Talent and Acquisition Graeme Allan said De Koning's arrival was key to the Saints taking their expected leap up the ladder in 2026.
"Tom is an incredibly exciting talent entering the prime of his career, and we're very pleased he's chosen to take that next step with us," Allan said.
"Tom is joining a united and driven group, and his presence will only strengthen that collective.
"His versatility and competitiveness gives us great flexibility, and we know he'll push himself and those around him to even higher standards.
“He's the right character for the environment we're creating, and that alignment will be just as important as his on-field impact. We're building towards sustained success, and Tom's decision to join us is a great sign of the belief in our direction."
De Koning played in 100 games for the Blues in his eight-year tenure at Ikon Park and averaged a career-high 17.3 disposals and 23.3 hitouts per game in 2025.
His signature at St Kilda has had a knock-on effect, however, with Rowan Marshall officially requesting a trade to Geelong. He has a reported desire to keep the role of the number one ruck, which he would be unable to achieve in tandem with De Koning.
