Port Adelaide youngster Xavier Duursma says the Power can challenge for a premiership in his second AFL season
Port Adelaide young gun Xavier Duursma says the Power’s healthy list and promising pre-season form can transform it from a mid-table pretender to a premiership contender.
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Young gun Xavier Duursma says Port Adelaide’s healthy list and promising pre-season form can transform it from a mid-table pretender to a premiership contender.
The dashing wingman impressed in his rookie AFL campaign, as the Power finished one win short of a finals berth last year.
But Duursma said Port’s largely injury-free preparations and impressive Marsh Community Series victory over Brisbane had raised hopes of a flag challenge.
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“To be honest, I think we do,” said Duursma, when asked on SEN breakfast on Tuesday whether the Power had the weapons to mount a title push.
“I reckon we’ve had an amazing pre-season.
“One of the big factors of that has been that we’ve had a very, very healthy list.
“We’ve had very few players injured or in rehab groups.
“Not many teams really get that chance to train with pretty much a full list for almost all of pre-season.
“That’s allowed us to build some great connections and allowed us to get where we needed to go.
“We’re miles ahead of where we were this time last year.
“We’re really, really confident and looking forward to the challenge of what this year brings.
“We’re all excited (about) what we’ve been doing in pre-season and I think that will transfer across into our season ahead.”
Duursma carried on where he left off last campaign, kicking two goals in Sunday’s 21-point triumph over the Lions in Moreton Bay.
The 186cm Victorian averaged 19.6 disposals and kicked 11 majors during 20 games in his maiden season, shining alongside fellow rookies Connor Rozee and Zak Butters.
Duursma, 19, hoped to pass on his experience to Port’s new first-year players, including highly-rated duo Mitch Georgiades and Dylan Williams.
“We got the advice given to us in our first year,” said Duursma, taken at pick 18 in the 2018 Draft.
“But now we want to try and help as many blokes as we can along.
“Knowing that me, Connor and Zak we’re all in that position last year … I’m going to try and help along those (rookie) guys as much as I can.
“I did enjoy some advice from great leaders at the club.
“The more advice and the more things you can talk about and learn from, the better.”
Duursma was unsure whether he would feature in this weekend’s under-23 clash with cross-town rival Adelaide.
The Power faces Western Bulldogs in its next pre-season encounter at Bennett Oval in Whyalla on Saturday, March 7.
Originally published as Port Adelaide youngster Xavier Duursma says the Power can challenge for a premiership in his second AFL season