Xavier Duursma credits dancing for his smooth moves and predicts Zak Butters is Port Adelaide’s next rising star nomination

Port Adelaide’s second rising star nominee Xavier Duursma has credited a life of dancing for his rapid rise in AFL ranks and has predicted a third Power nomination won’t be too far away.

Port Adelaide’s Xavier Duursma. Picture SARAH REED

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Xavier Duursma has credited a lifetime of dancing for the smooth moves that landed him a rising star nomination this week and predicted teammate and fellow rookie Zak Butters to be the next Power player to receive the honour.

Duursma, fellow rising star nominee Connor Rozee and Butters have raised eyebrows for their quick rise in AFL ranks after being snapped up in last year’s draft.

Xavier Duursma celebrates after kicking a goal against North Melbourne. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Duursma said they were close, had a regular bet which means whoever laid the fewest tackles the previous week had to buy lunch, but had also come from different backgrounds.

To him, his background in dancing — a wide range, including jazz, tap and ballet — had been crucial.

“My mum’s a dance teacher, has been for most of her life and I did dance for 16 years or something like that,” Duursma said. “I did it for a long time; it was good fun.

“It did prepare me for footy really well with balance and stretching and flexibility.

“It gave me a strong core and I’ve been able to build off that with some blind turns that can help you look a pretty fancy out there.

“You get to practice that a lot in dance.”

Duursma was at the Craigburn Primary School at Flagstaff Hill on Tuesday for a school visit and was beaming after being nominated for the rising star award.

And he fearlessly predicted there would be another one for the Power in the not too distant future in Butters.

“I think he’s probably very close behind; he’s been very good for the whole six weeks,” Duursma said. “I’m pretty sure his won’t be too far away either.”

Duursma also credited his mentor, Steven Motlop for helping him find his feet in the game.

And he could not speak more highly of Travis Boak, who will celebrate his 250th game on the weekend against Collingwood and continues to set the standards around Alberton.

Xavier Duursma runs in to celebrate a goal with Zak Butters, Robbie Gray and Connor Rozee on Friday. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

“My mentor, Stevie Motlop, has been fantastic with me and also Travis Boak,” Duursma said. “I try to model myself as much as I can on him because he’s been fantastic.

“Stevie’s also been fantastic.

“He tells me to tuck the ball under my arm and take the game on, which is what he does, and that’s been really beneficial for me, just to take the game on and leave nothing else out there

“Boaky as well … the way that he prepares and trains — he’s always the last one off the track.”

But as much as the Power were looking forward to Friday night and the big occasion of playing Collingwood, Duursma said there were some issues that needed to be addressed during the week.

Chief among them was not allowing an opponent a chance to come back when it’s down.

“We let North Melbourne come back into the game; we kind of let them back in,” Duursma said. “I think we still have to lock teams out; we have to put the foot on the throat and not let them back in. That’s something we have to sharpen up on.”