Port Adelaide thrill-seeker Xavier Duursma shoots for the stars
Port Adelaide young excitement machine Xavier Duursma explains why he will continue to pull out his controversial goal celebration.
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Port Adelaide rookie sensation Xavier Duursma says he has been given a licence to thrill and will continue to pull out his trademark bow-and-arrow goal celebration.
“I’ve got the club backing me, Kenny (senior coach Ken Hinkley), the coaching staff, all the players, to be myself, so I am happy to continue showing my individual flair,’’ Duursma told The Advertiser after he produced his controversial celebration in the 59-point thumping of Essendon on Saturday just two weeks after being heavily criticised for the same act in a loss to Richmond.
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“I’m happy to be able to bring it out, celebrate a goal. It’s not meant to be arrogant or anything like that.
“I use it to try to get the boys up and about.’’
Teenager Duursma — a revelation in his first year at Port after being selected at pick 18 at last year’s national draft — has used the unique bow-and-arrow celebration for all eight goals he has kicked in his debut season.
It has been a part of his make up for three seasons and is based on “a Reggie Jackson/Jamal Murray kind of influence out of the NBA’’.
“I love the NBA and I thought not many people in the AFL have celebrations like that, so I thought why not be different and have a bit of an identity of my own,’’ he said.
But the midfield endurance beast copped plenty of flak when he unleashed the celebration in front of Richmond supporters at the MCG two weeks ago when his third quarter goal still left Port trailing by 16 points.
The Tigers quickly booted the next two majors before winning by 38 points, prompting some former players to suggest that Duursma needed to pick his moment better and left Hinkley saying he would talk to him about the “right time and place’’ to celebrate.
But rather than go into his shell, which might have happened given he is so raw and inexperienced, Duursma has been unaffected by all the outside noise.
“It’s okay, everyone has their opinion,’’ said the 19-year-old wingman, whose goal against the Bombers was a spectacular 35m checkside from a set shot from the boundary line early in the third quarter with Port leading by 17 points.
“I’m not going to worry too much about it because I’m just trying to be myself and if people don’t like that I can’t do anything about it
“I just have to be true to myself because there’s going to be criticism no matter what you do.
“I feel that if I allow myself to play my natural game then I can do a lot.
“Obviously there is a time and place for it and if we were 80 points down I probably wouldn’t do it, but when we’re making a run I like to bring it out and try to get people excited.’’
Hinkley enjoyed Duursma repeating his celebration, being filmed in the coaches box saying ‘good boy’’ when his young star pulled out his party trick.
“I think that’s what young people want to be and I think it’s what fans want to see,’’ he said.
“If you ask me, the kids inside the arena are pretty excited about it. I love the bow-and-arrow.’’