AFL 2024: Zane Duursma outlines debut year goals as Hugh Greenwood cops ankle injury

Just as two North Melbourne players showed positive signs on the injury front, two others had setbacks on a wet Monday, where a top draft pick announced where he would play in 2024.

Luke McDonald of the Kangaroos during todays session. Picture: Michael Klein

Just as North Melbourne began ticking names off its injury list, two more had trouble on Monday when Hugh Greenwood and Bailey Scott battled through a wet session.

Greenwood went down clutching at his left ankle during a mini match simulation, before leaving the track with a rolled ankle.

Winger Bailey Scott also only made the briefest of appearances, jogging lightly for a few minutes before returning indoor, complaining of calf tightness.

Paul Curtis only ran laps but the Roos put that down to managing his loads.

The session had started brightly for North Melbourne, with co-captain Luke McDonald taking part in all drills, including match sim.

McDonald has been on light duties for much of summer after a severe hamstring injury but he moved well and completed extra running after his teammates finished on the track.

Tristan Xerri sporting new head gear. Picture: Michael Klein

Ruck Tristan Xerri was also involved in the entire session, sporting a helmet after he had surgery on his cheekbone late last month.

Xerri, who should start the season as the club’s No.1 ruck, ran strongly around Arden Street and showed no discomfort during a physical tackling hitout after training had finished.

Recruit Zac Fisher (hamstring) ran at decent speed as he joined Aidan Corr (knee) and Eddie Ford (ankle) in the rehab group.

The trio did resistance training and kicked together as they all make ground on being fit for pre-season matches.

Defender Jackson Archer was less mobile, as he worked through some running while in discussion with medicos about his sore groin.

Tarryn Thomas was again absent from training on Monday.

He remains away from the club during the AFL’s investigation into new domestic violence allegations.

Zane Duursma is set to play up forward this season. Picture: Getty Images

YOUNG HOPES

Young Roo Zane Duursma has his eye on a round 1 debut while his fellow draftee Colby McKercher found plenty of the ball during match sim.

Played only in a small portion of the ground and with limited numbers, McKercher started the gameplay at half-back alongside Harry Sheezel, with the pair running out of defence several times.

Rain hit hard during this portion of the session, leading to some scrappy skills but the duo worked well together in a backline that also featured Toby Pink and Luke McDonald.

Colby McKercher tackles Harry Sheezel. Picture: Michael Klein

Taken one pick after McKercher, with the fourth selection in November’s draft, Duursma will be planted at the other end and play forward to start his career.

He said he has been working with Jaidyn Stephenson to get a handle on settling in alongside others like Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar.

“I’m predominantly going to play forward this year, whether I get pushed up into the midfield, I don’t really know yet,” he said.

“I think that probably my strength is my overhead marking and my goal sense. I think that if I bring those two into the forward line, we are going to have a pretty strong forward line.”

McKercher has a laugh. Picture: Michael Klein

Duursma said playing against the GWS Giants in round 1 was “a goal I have set myself coming into this year” as he aims to replicate Sheezel’s brilliant first season.

“Seeing what ‘Sheez’ did in his first year, being able to replicate that would be an absolute dream of mine,” Duursma said.

Another goal is staying in the side to face his brother Xavier, who won a move to Essendon in the off-season.

The younger Duursma clearly has his eyes on that clash, answering the clubs would meet in round 10 immediately when asked about facing his brother.

“We have had that down for a while now,” he said.