Top Gippsland Power AFL Draft prospect Willem Duursma took out Vic Country’s MVP following a brilliant carnival where he showcased his wide range of AFL attributes.
Played in defence for most of the first three games, Duursma was unleashed in the midfield in Vic Country’s crunch clash with Vic Metro in a compelling statement of his status as a pick-one contender.
He finished with 27 disposals, six marks, five tackles and a goal in a beautifully balanced performance where his hard-running, athleticism, intercepting and ball-winning were all on show.
“It was probably always the plan to let him loose in the last round and let him get some footy and be influential wherever he could around the ground,” his Vic Country and Gippsland Power coach Rhett McLennan said.
“Not only did he show through sheer weight of numbers that he’s good enough to be a high-level midfielder but he also showed the team based approach with how he goes about things.
“He went back for a rotation in the third quarter and then we stuck him forward and he showed what he can do up forward with a goal in the last quarter which highlighted his versatility.”
A genuine contender for the top selection in this year’s draft, he entered the season as a well regarded athletic prototype capable of playing any position, but with question marks around his defensive application and contested ball-winning.
Those areas of his game have been well and truly answered as the season has progressed, given the opportunity to showcase his progression in those areas at Coates League and National Championships level.
“I think he’s getting better,” McLennan said.
“Most talented kids are instructed to get the footy and go nuts, so our education curve for someone like Willem is here is some other stuff you really need to do as well and put great highlights and praise around him when he does do the little things like the punches, chases and tackles.
“He’s getting better week by week so to do it in the last game of the nationals is really promising for what is in store for him going forward.”
The brother of AFL/W listed trio Xavier, Yasmin and Zane, Willem has shone at Talent League level this season, averaging 25 disposals, five marks and four tackles.
Gippsland is likely to have a deep run into the Coates League finals this season given the strength of the list, providing Duursma with ample opportunity to shine.
But McLennan indicated they would resist the temptation to play their star playmaker solely as an on-baller to finish the season.
“He showed ability as a midfielder but it’s fairly unlikely he’ll start at the middle in round one so it’s about showing what else you can do to stretch an opposition and cause headaches,” McLennan said.
“We see him as a guy who can do that down back and be accountable but also run off and be creative and also go forward and stretch an opposition.
“We’ll set him up to show different things again.
“What Willem has cultivated is a player who wants to do different things where needed so for him to show he’s keen to do that is a tick for recruiters.”
