Why Port Adelaide will love first-round draftee Xavier Duursma
Xavier Duursma is poised to quickly become a Port Adelaide favourite, arriving in Adelaide from Melbourne with fellow Victorian draftee Zak Butters, he declared he loves to “put my head in the hole’’.
Port Adelaide
Don't miss out on the headlines from Port Adelaide. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Xavier Duursma is poised to quickly become a Port Adelaide favourite.
Arriving in Adelaide from Melbourne on Sunday with fellow Victorian draftee Zak Butters and greeted by a host of his new Power teammates, Duursma declared he loves to “put my head in the hole’’ and has a “never give up attitude’’.
“I think I am a really hard competitor and I never give up, something that suits Port Adelaide’s play style,’’ said the 18-year-old midfielder/half-back, who was the Power's second pick (No.18 overall) at the national draft.
BUCKY: EVERY CLUB’S DRAFT HAUL REVIEWED
DRAFT: HOW ROBBIE GRAY GOT BUTTERS TO POWER
RULES: DANGER’S DAY 1 DOS, DON’TS FOR DRAFTEES
“I’ve got good intensity at the ball and apply plenty of pressure, I love to win one on ones.
“But I can also win the ball on the outside too. I like to think I’m like a young Trent Cotchin and can run and carry the ball as well as put my head in the hole.’’
Except Duursma is quicker than Cotchin.
“He has good step through traffic and an exciting burst of speed when breaking the lines from defence or out of the midfield,’’ AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan said.
Port coach Ken Hinkley said Duursma “brings a lot of run and carry and has an outstanding future’’.
“He’s a half-back intercept marker who can push up into the middle of the ground and I know our recruiting manager Geoff Parker is really excited to get him,’’ Hinkley said.
The nephew of former Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne defender Jamie Duursma, who played 59 AFL games from 1985-89, including the Demons’ 1988 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn, Xavier captained TAC Cup side Gippsland Power this year and finished third in the best-and-fairest, averaging 23 disposals.
His dad Dean was on Sydney and Melbourne’s lists but did not play an AFL match.
“They’ve both had a very big influence on my career,’’ said Xavier.
While he models his style on Cotchin, Duursma’s game has been compared more to rebounding Carlton defender Sam Docherty.
He’s a good size at 186cm but will need to add some muscle to his light 73kg frame.
While some interstate draftees are “flight risks’’, Duursma said he is “rapt’’ to be at Port.
He said he expected to be drafted by an Adelaide club, with the Crows also showing strong interest in him before the annual player lottery.
“I had a strong feeling I would end up at one of the Adelaide clubs and I’m rapt to be here at Port Adelaide,’’ said Duursma, who grew up barracking for the Lions.
“It’s amazing and I can’t wipe the smile off my face. It’s a dream come true because all I’ve ever wanted to do since I was a kid is to play AFL footy.
“I’m glad Port has given me that chance and I look forward to repaying the faith.’’
Duursma was one of five players the Power selected at the national draft, along with South Australians Connor Rozee (No.5 overall), Riley Grundy (73) and Boyd Woodcock (76) and fellow Victorian Butters (12).
They will start training at the club on Monday.
Track watch: Port bull passes big test, JHF sizzles
Rory Atkins on kick-in duty, the SSP midfield audition and Sam Powell-Pepper ticking off a major milestone in his comeback – there was plenty happening at Alberton on Friday.
Port could make succession plan official before round 1
It’s been long speculated, but Port Adelaide is now considering going public on an official plan that would set the club’s next coach in stone. See the exclusive details.