St Kilda's mega contract to attract Carlton free agent Tom De Koning has been criticised by Melbourne legend Garry Lyon.
De Koning has informed Carlton of his intention to exercise his free agency rights and is expected to join St Kilda once the player movement period begins in post-season.
It has been reported that De Koning's contract at the Saints is upward of $1.5 million across eight years, a figure which Lyon believes might be too much to pay for the 26-year-old ruckman.
"Let me say up front, I don’t begrudge anyone getting as much money as they can in whatever field they’re in, and we’re talking footy here, so good on you, Tom, well done and good luck," Lyon said on Fox Footy.
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"Now, I’m looking at it from a St Kilda point of view, and when it’s this much money, Gerard, I need to have no question about it working. That’s where I sit with it.
"Oh, Nasiah (Wanganeen-Milera)’s signed for $2 million? You go ‘phew — big money — but yeah, I get it’ … if it was Zak Butters for $1.7-1.8 million, you go ‘oh, yeah, I get it’.
"I’ve got a question over whether … I know you’ve got to pay overs, I know you’ve got to get him in, but the question revolves around just how good he is."
Lyon continued: "He’s never kicked more than nine goals in a season, he averages just under three marks a game and 12 or 13 possessions. And he hasn’t done anything of great note to earn that money.
"Again, please, I’m not having a crack at Tom. Good luck to you, I hope you get to where you need to be, but with that sort of money … can’t see it (with De Koning)."