AFL 2024: Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma join North Melbourne
North Melbourne’s previous pair of top five picks were on hand to welcome the club’s new duo as the Roos enter 2024 filled to the brim with talent.
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No.2 pick Colby McKercher doesn’t think a move back to the Tasmanian expansion side would interest him as he prepares to be a key cog in North Melbourne’s rebuild.
The prodigious midfield talent has joined the Kangaroos along with fourth pick Zane Duursma in the second consecutive year the Roos have added two top-five selections.
McKercher led a bumper Tasmanian draft crop into Monday night’s first round and was one of three selections alongside Ryley Sanders (pick 6) and James Leake (17), with several more expected to follow.
The 18-year-old said he was proud of the Tasmanian contingent but was unlikely to contemplate a return to his home state when its team enters the AFL in 2028.
“I don’t reckon … I’m pretty happy in these colours,” McKercher said on Tuesday.
“I’m super proud of the (Tasmanian) boys who got picked up last night, hopefully tonight and maybe on Wednesday as well (more will be selected).
“We’re all just super grateful to the support system we have back home – so many people are proud football supporters, and we’ll all be repping the map.”
McKercher said new coach Alastair Clarkson’s excitement was palpable as he welcomed him and Duursma to the club along with three more opening-night selections.
The Kangaroos also picked up tall duo Taylor Goad (206cm) and Wil Dawson (200cm) with picks 20 and 22 before taking rebounding defender Riley Hardeman with the following pick.
“(We saw) just how excited (Clarkson) was really, you could really tell how happy he was with how the night went, and I can’t wait to get to know him better,” McKercher said.
McKercher and Duursma follow in the footsteps of picks 3 and 4 Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw, who were both at the draft with some words of advice after the top 10 was presented on stage.
“They just said to enjoy it really – it’s only going to happen once, so it was just to really soak it in and don’t look too far ahead, enjoy the night,” McKercher said.
“They both had fantastic years last year and they’re both great players, so hopefully me and Zane can do something like they did.”
Reports had linked the Roos strongly to key defender Daniel Curtin in recent days, but recruiting manager Will Thursfield said the club had long ago settled on the duo it wanted to take with the back-to-back selections.
“The plan was just to pick the talent at the top and then address some of those needs,” Thursfield said.
“It was decided a while ago (North would take McKercher and Duursma). We just thought that they were the two best talents, too hard to pass up on.”
Originally published as AFL 2024: Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma join North Melbourne
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