Tom De Koning's $1.7m St Kilda move and Jan Juc beach retreat revealed
Tom De Koning recruits to St Kilda, showcases his Jan Juc escape
St Kilda's newest $1.7 million recruit, Tom De Koning, is making waves off-field with the reveal of his coastal getaway in Jan Juc, managed as a holiday rental.
De Koning signed an eight-year, multi-million dollar contract with St Kilda, leaving Carlton. The deal, starting for the 2026 season, is reported to be worth approximately $1.7 million per season, making it one of the largest in AFL free agency history.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The move was confirmed in August 2025, after Carlton declined to match the massive offer.
De Koning spoke publicly about his decision to leave Carlton: "To be really honest, this has been the toughest decision I have ever had to make, leaving a club I've loved being part of over the last eight years, with friendships I will take with me for the rest of my life," De Koning said in a statement.
But he admitted he's been a lifelong St Kilda fan on his Instagram: "I can't wait for the next chapter with @stkildafc , the team I grew up dreaming I'd play for one day. Carn the Sainters"
The key ruckman's investment, known as Boulevard Breeze, is proving to be a highly sought-after holiday destination. The property management team at @airreadysurfcoast is handling the rental for the star, known on social media as @_t.d.k_.
Located in a prime Jan Juc spot directly opposite the beach, the surfy beach house boasts "the best location, artwork & Jan Juc coastal views," offering guests a relaxed vibe.
It's pet friendly too so you can bring your pooch along for the holiday.
The rental sleeps six comfortably and features a coastal beach vibe in a classic mid-century fibro beach shack style.
The listing highlights the convenience of stepping across the road to hit the surf or the famous Bells Beach walking track.
Features include a large comfy lounge, super comfy beds, and a deck with ocean glimpses. A short stroll connects guests to the popular Swell Café, The Juc pub, and Bird Rock Restaurant.
Guests can enjoy stunning ocean views from the lounge and upper deck.
The property currently rents out at $595.00 per night and is proving incredibly popular, with February already booked out.
This seems to be part of a broader trend of AFL players investing in the Victorian Surf Coast with Patrick Dangerfield and Baily Smith from the Geelong Cats calling the Great Ocean Rd home.
Patrick Dangerfield's Moggs Creek Dream Home
Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield and his wife, Mardi, documented the construction of their Moggs Creek residence in an online series titled Danger's Build.
The couple acquired the land in 2016 for $2 million and subsequently lodged plans in 2018 for a $1.2 million new home. Dangerfield, a childhood resident of the area, articulated his deep connection to the coast in his YouTube series:"The Surf Coast is where I grew up and spent all of my childhood. When I was drafted to Adelaide in 2007, I was away for eight years, and that time really reaffirmed how much I loved and missed the coast. When I came back to Geelong, there was only one place I wanted to live."
The original house on the property, built post-Ash Wednesday fires in the early 1980s, was deemed unsuitable for renovation."The house we bought had been built after the Ash Wednesday fires in the early 1980's. Unfortunately, it wasn't really suitable for a renovation, so it was easier to start from scratch and build something new."
The Dangerfields lived in the existing structure for 12 to 18 months to fully understand the block before commencing the build.
"We lived in the old house for about 12 to 18 months to really understand the block and how we'd use it. Then we worked with our craftsmen and architects to design something that would look wonderful, function well as a family home, and really suit the area."
Dangerfield expressed a long-standing passion for residential design:"I've always been passionate about houses. Even as a 12 year old, I'd walk up and down the Surf Coast looking at the beautiful homes and dreaming that one day I'd design and build my own."
His favourite features of the completed home are the two ocean-facing wings, praising the "incredible" views.
Bailey Smith Secures a $4 Million Coastal Retreat
Geelong's 2025 star recruit, Bailey Smith, purchased a $4 million piece of paradise on the Surf Coast even before making his debut for the Cats.
The 23-year-old's acquisition is a six-hectare property near Torquay, which boasts extensive landscaped gardens, an in-ground swimming pool with a dedicated pool house, and an in-ground trampoline.
Buyer's advocate John O'Brien, who assisted Smith with the purchase, highlighted its prime location: a perfect sanctuary only 10 minutes from the beach and a convenient half-hour drive from GMHBA Stadium, the Cat's home ground.
Originally published as Tom De Koning's $1.7m St Kilda move and Jan Juc beach retreat revealed
