St Kilda boom recruit Tom De Koning is feeling happy, confident and perfectly placed for a crucial blockbuster ruck duel with Fremantle's superstar big man Luke Jackson.
The 26-year-old has been growing into his partnership with Saints mainstay Rowan Marshall and developed a terrific understanding with young midfielders Hugo Garcia and Max Hall.
Given his jump and athleticism, De Koning appears the perfect big man to go with Dockers 'unicorn' Jackson, 24, on Friday night at Optus Stadium.
"It's good. We've had a few good match-ups in the past, and he's absolutely dominating, so it'll be a bit of a challenge for us," De Koning told AAP after St Kilda's win over Richmond.
"But we'll make sure we come up with a good plan.
"We've got a five-day break, so we'll make sure we look after ourselves, and yeah, really come up with a good plan and try and execute that.
"Both me and Ro (Marshall) as well, we pride ourselves on our follow-up and ability to work around the ground.
"Also our centre bounce work's improved a lot in the last few weeks and we're really starting to get that connection and dominance in there. So hopefully we can bring that into (the game)."
De Koning was the talk of 2025 as St Kilda prised the Mornington Peninsula local out of Carlton with a huge free agency deal.
The laidback 26-year-old insists the pressure hasn't got to him, while he believes his partnership with Marshall - with both capable of hitting the scoreboard as well as influencing in the ruck - will only get better with more games together.
"I'm loving it," De Koning said.
"You put as much pressure on yourself as you want, and I think I've been able to handle it well.
"And I've got a great support base around me and already knew a fair few of the boys coming in, and really good mates with Ro, which makes it really helpful to be able to work together on game day.
"Heaps of positives, but really enjoying my time."
St Kilda have been inconsistent but moved to 5-5 with their win over struggling Richmond.
Now, De Koning and his teammates want to show they belong with the big boys and push for finals.
Beating second-placed Fremantle is the perfect way to do that.
"We really want to beat the top-eight teams. That's what's most important for ourselves to contend at the end of the year," De Koning said.
"So it'll be really motivating for us to get the win this week."
The Saints are still without star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (calf) while forward Jack Higgins will miss with knee soreness.
