The West Coast Eagles are widely tipped to select Willem Duursma with the first pick at tomorrow night's AFL National Draft. The Gippsland Power player, a dual All-Australian, is expected to be the top choice after a standout junior career.
Duursma's unique background includes years of dance training, which he credits for enhancing his football skills. His mother, Susan, who owns a dance school, noted that dance develops core strength that transfers to sports. Duursma himself said his sidestep is partly due to dance.
Last week, Duursma performed in a dance version of Disney's 'Tangled' staged by his mother's school. He will become the fourth member of his family drafted into the AFL or AFLW, following siblings Xavier, Zane, and Yasmin.
Duursma's junior career included All-Australian selections and Vic Country MVP honors at under-18 level. He has also played for Gippsland Power and Casey Demons, mirroring the path of his brother Zane, drafted by North Melbourne in 2023.
Duursma, a 193-centimetre versatile player, said he has learned to handle pressure from a young age. 'That's the beauty of having all that pressure, is you learn to play well under it,' he said. The AFL draft will be held over two nights on November 19 and 20.
