Dashing wingman Xavier Duursma is already among the best in the AFL in one key metric, just 15 games into his career
He just signed a two year contract extension at Port Adelaide and is only 15 games into his career but Power wingman Xavier Duursma has already reached elite level in a vital statistic.
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He is only 15 games into his career but exciting Port rookie Xavier Duursma is already among the best in the AFL for one key metric.
In just his first season the No. 18 draft pick from country Victoria is already among the best in the competition for distance travelled in games, averaging nearly 15km per match and a best effort of 17.37km, quickly running his way into fan favourite status among the Power faithful.
“I think running has always been one of my strengths but I didn’t know or couldn’t really expect to do that much or be ranked that highly in my debut season,” Duursma told The Advertiser.
“I have worked very hard on my running.”
This is just one of the reasons why Port were so keen to re-sign the dashing wingman, starting conversations about an extension of his time at Alberton after his round one debut against Melbourne at the MCG.
Along with fellow draftees Connor Rozee and Zak Butters, as well as Jake Patmore and Joel Garner, Duursma was re-signed by Port Adelaide, whose bold faith in youth in 2019 has been richly rewarded.
“All five of us are excited to be here for another couple of years and hopefully some more to come after that,” Duursma said.
“It’s great fun and the club has shown a lot of faith in us and we are showing the faith back in signing.
“The club has had a big turnaround in terms of what it does with youth and I’ve been loving being a part of it.”
A rising star nominee in April, Duursma has also caught the eye for his bow and arrow celebration after kicking goals — something that formed a 19th birthday present from Martin Frederick in Port’s SANFL game on Sunday.
“It was my birthday on Sunday and he (Frederick) messaged me for my birthday and said I will do your celebration when I kick a goal and he kicked one of the best goals I have seen in a long time and did my celebration,” Duursma said.
“It was very nice.
“I did it a little bit in bottom age under 18s, I like the NBA so that has been a big influence on me and I think it’s a bit of fun.”
The bow and arrow celebration isn’t the only thing that sets Duursma apart from other AFL players, in addition to his strong dance background the gun rookie has a massive love for all things Star Wars.
“I am a massive fan, that is a big passion of mine,” he said.
“I have a massive collection of Star Wars stuff and half of it is still in Victoria.”
After a rough time out against the Western Bulldogs in horrendous conditions, Duursma like most of his Port Adelaide teammates bounced back with a bang against the Crows in the Showdown — finishing with 22 disposals and eight marks in the Powers’ big win over their arch rivals.
Duursma suffered a corked quad in the demolition, meaning he sat out training on Tuesday, but is confident of getting up to face the Brisbane Lions — the team he grew up supporting — on Sunday at Adelaide Oval.
“I have a little bit of a corkie but I should be fine,” he said.
“For us it is even bigger to back up what we did against the Crows.”