Gippsland Power midfielder Willem Duursma was crowned the dux of this year’s AFL draft class by the West Coast Eagles, but bolter Latrelle Pickett had to almost be smuggled into Marvel Stadium such was Melbourne’s determination to keep their prized No.12 selection under wraps.
Duursma, who honed his renowned footwork in his mother Susie’s dance school and considers himself a “bird nerd” who also loves comics, joins siblings Xavier (Essendon), Yasmin (Carlton) and Zane (North Melbourne) on an AFL/W list.
Both Xavier and Zane were also first-round draft picks in 2018 and 2023, respectively, but the youngest Duursma – a Brendon Goddard clone – is the first in his family to be the No.1 selection.
Duursma’s close friend Harley Reid, the top pick two years ago, presented him with his Eagles’ jumper on stage.
Duursma entered the year as one of the highest-rated prospects, and enhanced his reputation with an outstanding season. He earned under-18 All-Australian selection, finished runner-up in the Morrish Medal, and was named captain of the Talent League’s team of the year.
“Obviously, it’s very special. You work so hard over the years, and it’s finally a dream come true, so I’m pretty happy. It’s not easy [being touted as the No.1 pick during the year] but having the support of my mates and family has been a really good help for me,” Duursma said.
The Eagles had the first two picks of the draft, and followed the Duursma selection with bids on Gold Coast academy prospect Zeke Uwland and Carlton’s father-son defender Harry Dean, both of which were matched by the clubs they were tied to.
The Blues sent their No.9 and 11 picks to Essendon and North Melbourne, respectively, as previously reported, to gather more draft points to match bids on Dean and next-generation academy graduate Jack Ison.
That meant the Bombers, who scored selections nine and 43 and traded picks 21, 27 and 30 to Carlton, scored a third first-round selection as their reincarnation under coach Brad Scott continues. The Roos received picks 11 and 54 for Nos.25 and 46 and next year’s second-rounder.
Dynamic duo: Latrelle Pickett received his Demons jumper from cousin Kysaiah.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
West Coast then opted to add size to their list, adding a second Victorian teenager, Calder Cannons ruck-forward Cooper Duff-Tytler.
Richmond began with pick No.5, lodging bids on Gold Coast Academy speedster Dylan Patterson and Brisbane Academy midfielder Daniel Annable, but both Queensland clubs matched. The Tigers then secured South Australian onballer Sam Cumming at No.7 and Victorian speedster Sam Grlj at No.8.
The Bombers took robust midfielder Sullivan Robey, who booted four goals in the Coates Talent League grand final. They then took West Perth half-back Jacob Farrow.
The shock of the night came when the Demons took Pickett – the cousin of Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett – in what draft legend Kevin Sheehan described as the ultimate bolter.
An explosive small forward who spent the year with SANFL club Glenelg, Latrelle, 19, was presented with his jumper by Kysaiah, and believes he can have an immediate impact alongside his cousin as soon as round one in 2026.
“I think I can definitely have an impact. I just have to put the hard work in this pre-season, I guess, and just give it my all and have a good crack. Just knuckle down and, hopefully, have the talent to play in round one,” Pickett said.
There was great symmetry to Pickett’s selection, given his cousin, and fellow Indigenous greats Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli were also the No.12 selections of their drafts.
