Willem Duursma Biography

Eagles coach Andrew McQualter would have Willem Duursma leading the race for the 2026 AFL Rising Star award.

"He's certainly been able to provide some defensive efforts, which we've shown in team meetings, and he's nowhere near a finished product," McQualter said of Duursma.

"I think he's got so much growth in him, but he wants to be great, wants to help our team be great, and we love him on our team.

"He's been able to come into an AFL team, first year ... play on the wing, play inside mid, and be able to influence games in different ways."

Willem Duursma is the round three AFL Rising Star nominee for 2026.

Following an outstanding game in the Eagles' win over Port Adelaide, Duursma said senior players had played influential roles on the field, allowing the youngsters to shine.

"They have that constant trust and belief in us to show our skills and play to our strengths, and we've got that belief back in them, so it's two-way street where it works really well," Duursma said.

"They pump us up with confidence and we don't think twice when we go for the ball because we've got that support, and if we mess something up then they'll be there to help us."

Willem Duursma makes his AFL debut for West Coast with 14 disposals (6 kicks and 8 handballs), 5 marks and 5 tackles in a 59-point loss to Gold Coast.

Willem Duursma is embracing the pressure and expectation of being West Coast's prized No.1 draft pick, older brother Xavier says.

"It's a massive tag to carry, but he's a very confident young man, and I think he's going to really embrace the challenge," Bombers wingman Xavier said of the expectations on his younger sibling.

"I know that he's got a really good support network over there around him; Harley Reid, he's pretty close with him. The Eagles, from everything I've heard and everything he's said to me, they've done really well so far looking after him.

West Coast select Willem Duursma with pick No.1 in the 2025 National Draft.

Draft Profile: A highly talented prospect who can play just about anywhere on the field and revels in his versatility. Duursma has played as a marking defender, a deep forward and even on the wing, but has saved his best work as a tall midfielder who can go forward and hit the scoreboard, which he did often in his draft season. Duursma plays well in big games and has been seen as a No.1 pick contender for three years and now looks headed to West Coast. He ran 6:19 minutes at the 2km time trial at the Combine and also ran the 20-metre sprint in 2.99 seconds, while he was top 10 in running and standing vertical jumps tests.