AFL Trade 2023: Ollie Wines, Xavier Duursma and all the latest news from Port Adelaide
He’s yet to put in a trade request, but Port Adelaide’s Xavier Duursma has spoken to the Bombers about a potential move. Here’s the latest.
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Xavier Duursma looms as a potential piece in Port Adelaide’s move for Brandon Zerk-Thatcher after having a medical at Essendon.
Victorian clubs are interested in the 23-year-old Power wingman but the Bombers are at the head of the queue as they attempt to fast-track their development under coach Brad Scott.
This masthead understands Essendon views the Gippsland product’s strong running and overhead marking as ideal for their style of play.
As the Power prepares to negotiate with the Bombers to secure key defender Zerk-Thatcher, Port is leaving the door ajar for Duursma to leave.
While Duursma has not put in a trade request, he has made clear to the Bombers he is keen to explore a possible move.
Some Victorian clubs are convinced the Power is pushing Duursma out given his moderate season and to help it bring in four big men this trade period.
He underwent a medical at Essendon on Thursday.
Port football boss Chris Davies said on AFL Trade Radio: “Right now, it’s more likely than not that he’s with Port Adelaide next year”.
But Davies said the Power did not typically stand in the way of players who wanted to move clubs.
“I don’t think there’s any real reason for Xavier to leave,” Davies said.
“But if he came to us and said that he wanted to, we’ve got some decisions to make.”
Port Adelaide’s attempts to trade for four targets – ruckmen Jordon Sweet and Ivan Soldo, as well as key defenders Zerk-Thatcher and Esava Ratugolea – despite not having a pick this year until No. 38 has led to talk it may need to part with a player to get the deals done.
Duursma has lined up in 73 games in five seasons for the Power since being selected at pick 18 in the 2018 national draft.
Arriving at Alberton in the same much talked about draft haul as Connor Rozee and Zak Butters, Duursma shone during his debut campaign, averaging 19.6 disposals and 4.9 score involvements from 20 matches.
But his form has fallen away and he is coming off an injury-hit past three seasons.
He has played just 38 of a possible 71 games since the start of 2021.
Duursma suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament in round 7 this year so the Bombers medicos would be keen to assess his durability.
While the Power would believe he was a superior player to Zerk-Thatcher and expect other assets back, the Bombers would potentially ask for a straight swap.
Meanwhile, former Port Adelaide wingman Riley Bonner said he had received “a few nibbles” from other AFL clubs since his delisting last month.
Bonner played 93 games for the Power from 2016-23, including 11 this year.
“I’m trying to stay positive, stay fit and hopefully get that next call,” Bonner told AFL Trade Radio.
“Hopefully it works out in my favour and I can get across to another club, which would be great.”
‘IF HE CAME TO US...’: IS DUURSMA TRADE DOOR AJAR?
—Matt Turner
Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies has dismissed speculation vice-captain Ollie Wines may depart the club during the trade period and says wingman Xavier Duursma is likelier to stay than leave.
Wines’s name has bobbed up in rumours after moving to a wing this year as younger teammates received more on-ball opportunities.
Victorian clubs have reportedly been garnering interest in Duursma ahead of the final year of his contract.
Davies said there was nothing in Wines’s exit interview from either party that indicated he wanted to or would not be at Alberton in 2024.
“He’s a player that we need to get back to our best if we’re to move up the ladder next year,” Davies told AFL Trade Radio.
Davies said Duursma’s case was an interesting one and Port typically did not stand in the way of players who wanted to leave.
But he said “right now, it’s more likely than not that he’s with Port Adelaide next year”.
“I don’t think there’s any real reason for Xavier to leave the club but if he came to us and said that he wanted to, we’ve got some decisions to make,” he said.
Port Adelaide’s intent to trade for four players – ruckmen Jordon Sweet and Ivan Soldo, as well as key defenders Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Esava Ratugolea – despite not having a 2023 pick until 38 has led to external suggestions they may need to part with one of its best 22 to get the deals done.
Out of contract trio Sweet (Western Bulldogs), Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon) and Ratugolea (Geelong) have requested trades to the Power.
Davies said the club was keen to bring in both Sweet and Richmond big man Soldo, who had a year to run on his deal.
“Ivan is in the situation where ... he wants to be a first ruck, whether he’s going to be able to do that at his existing club is a question he needs to answer himself,” he said.
“We definitely have a need in that area so if he is in a situation where he wants to leave Richmond we would be more than open to him coming.
“We need a genuine number one ruckman so are in the market for that type of player.”
Geelong held firm on Ratugolea last year when Port tried to land him, but Davies said there was potentially a little more pressure on the Cats to get a deal done this time because the backman was out of contract and could walk to the pre-season draft.
Davies said the Power viewed Zerk-Thatcher as someone who could play on mobile tall forwards and free up Aliir Aliir to be an interceptor.
Geelong has publicly stated its reluctance to let Ratugolea go, while Essendon is reportedly wanting a first-round pick for the Sturt product.
“My job is ultimately to try to find whatever middle ground might exist with (list manager) Jason Cripps,” he said.
“Sometimes you have to give overs, sometimes you might think you get through without giving total market value at the time.”
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