Xavier Duursma Biography

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has landed at Port Adelaide and Xavier Duursma has joined Essendon in a trade between the two clubs.

"I'm very excited to join the Bombers, it's been a stressful period of time but cannot wait to get started," Duursma said.

"My best football is ahead of me, and I can't wait to be pulling on the red and black, and running out in front of all the amazing Bomber fans."

The deal went down to the wire on the final day of the 2023 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period, with Zerk-Thatcher, pick No.73 and two future fourth-round picks headed to the Power in exchange for the 23-year-old Duursma.

"We identified a need for tall defenders in our backline and we are excited to bring Brandon to the club because he fills that need,” said Port list manager Jason Cripps said of Zerk-Thatcher.

"He is athletic for his size and has developed a consistency to his game over the last 12 months."

Xavier Duursma wants to put two disappointing seasons behind him and make the wing his own in 2023 after rediscovering his running power during an off-season of reflection.

"I went away in the off-season and worked pretty hard on, number one, being healthy, and then working really hard about getting my routine right," Duursma said.

"Doing that, I discovered a few things about myself … and I've learned what is good for me and what is not. Getting back to my actual strengths and understanding what they are and implementing them on the training track is really giving me some confidence in myself right now."

Xavier Duursma signs a two-year contract extension to remain with Port Adelaide until the end of 2024.

"Xavier’s year was interrupted by a serious knee injury but we know his running power and while we have had a good taste of what he is capable of, we think there is plenty of upside to come," Power list manager Jason Cripps said.

Xavier Duursma says the preliminary final loss in 2020 left a sour taste in his mouth and is determined to rectify this as Port Adelaide head into their qualifying final this week against Geelong.

"I feel like I've got a lot of unfinished business there and we had every right to be in the Grand Final last year and we just couldn't get there," he said.

"It's a sore spot for me and I want to make sure I do everything I can this year to help us get into the Grand Final, and that starts with this game this week."

Draft hopeful Ryan Angwin describes how he worked closely with former Gippsland Power teammate Ryan Duursma to understand what it was like to train as an AFL player.

"We did running sessions together during the shutdown, three times a week. Then, after the running sessions were over, we'd have a bit of a kick and work on the fundamentals - kicking, handballing, that sort of stuff," Angwin said.

"Now that he's back home again at the moment, we've started doing more stuff together so that hopefully after the draft I'll be ready to go."

Brad Ebert retires from AFL football after 260 games and has agreed to pass on his number 7 jumper to Xavier Duursma.

"Xavier Duursma asked me if he could take the No.7 off me and I was thrilled so you'll be seeing the number seven next year, it's just going to be on the back of Xavier Duursma," Ebert said.

"He's a player who plays in a similar manner. He throws himself at every contest and he's a guy who I've really respected and liked as a person. He's a ripping kid and he's got a long time to come in the game. I hope to see number seven for plenty of years left."

Xavier Duursma is expected to miss three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in Port Adelaide's win over Fremantle.

"He's got a little history with hamstrings but they're only very minor normally with 'Xav'," Power coach Ken Hinkley said following the match.

"I imagine we'll get a scan that says he's got a hamstring injury that's probably going to be three weeks."

Draftees Connor Rozee, Xavier Duursma and Zak Butters have all re-committed to the Power, signing two-year contract extensions to remain at the club until the end of 2022.

Xavier Duursma is the round 6 AFL Rising Star nominee tallying 24 disposals, 8 marks and a goal for the Power against North Melbourne.

"I always try to prep the best I can, and I try to train as hard as I can every single time. I worked as hard as I could over the pre-season and hopefully it's set me up for the year. It's been working so far," Duursma said.

Duursma says his trademark bow-and-arrow goal celebration was inspired by the antics of NBA stars Reggie Jackson and Jamal Murray.

"I've seen them do it and I love it – I reckon it looks pretty cool – so I thought I'd have a crack at it," Duursma said.

"I knew that if I did something like that as a young player, some people would probably have a few question marks over it. But I don't care – I'm just going to keep doing it anyway."

Xavier Duursma makes his AFL debut for Port Adelaide at the MCG with 16 disposals (9 kicks and 7 handballs), 5 marks, 2 tackles and a goal in a 26-point win over Melbourne.

Port Adelaide select Xavier Duursma with pick No.18 in the 2018 National Draft.

“Xavier has impressed with his ability to run and carry the ball. He’s played a lot across half-back this year and is a very good intercept mark who uses the ball well,” Port Adelaide recruiting manager Geoff Parker said.