It might’ve taken until the dying seconds of the trade period, but Xavier Duursma will don the sash in 2024.
Renowned for his aerial courage and leadership qualities from a young age, Duursma developed his craft at the Foster Football Club throughout his junior career before joining the Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League as a bottom-ager in 2017.
In his 2018 draft year, Duursma was named Gippsland skipper and established himself as a top-20 draft prospect with a slew of starring performances as he led his side to a preliminary final berth.
Standout physical attributes caught the attention of recruiters on combine day, with Duursma running a 6:30 two-kilometre time trial and recording 21.1 on the Yo-Yo test, proof of his explosiveness and endurance.
Port Adelaide would select Duursma with the 18th overall pick on draft night, and it didn’t take him long to make an immediate impact.
Named the rising star nominee in round six of 2019 after his 24-disposal outing in a win over North Melbourne, Duursma burst onto the scene as a player to watch, notably due to his ‘bow-and-arrow’ goal celebrations.
After an impressive debut campaign, Duursma’s 2020 season reached similar heights as the Power progressed through the finals.
A fired-up effort in the tight preliminary final loss to Richmond saw Duursma tally 19 disposals and a goal in limited game time, finishing as one of Port Adelaide’s best on the night.
Although injuries hampered his 2021 and 2022 campaigns, Duursma continued to add strings to his bow, gaining another two matches of finals experience under his belt.
Hailing from a football family, Duursma’s uncle Jamie played 59 games across five seasons at the highest level, while his younger sister Yasmin plies her trade in Port Adelaide’s AFLW side. Xavier’s younger brother Zane is also a projected top-five pick in this year’s upcoming national draft.
The versatile winger is set to add a new dimension for the Bombers, with his ability to float both forward and back to complement fellow wingers such as Nic Martin and Sam Durham.
With an important pre-season ahead and still just 23 years of age, Duursma’s continued development shapes to be another exciting element of the Bombers’ build.
