Player Watch #7: Zane Duursma - staying at North in 2026

[Kanga Glory]

i'm a believer, that mark he took floating across the pack in an early praccy match i think in his 1st year sticks with me. Average players don't do that. A clear run with injuries' and improved fitness we will see improvement

 

[The Filth Wizard]

i'm a believer, that mark he took floating across the pack in an early praccy match i think in his 1st year sticks with me. Average players don't do that. A clear run with injuries' and improved fitness we will see improvement

He sunk a real ripper goal from 50 I think against the Bombers this year so there's real potential. I'm a believer in the big game but it's a sliding scale.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

BGZ is currently running at 4th best player in his family. I wonder how much shite he cops at the table at Xmas time by his fellow siblings. He should aim for top #2 by the end of 2026 in his family. That would be a realistic goal if we believe the hype on young Willem.

 

[Themanbun]

Agree to an extent, just how many of those other blokes have had injuries that Zane has copped in last 24 months? When you're a skinnyish kid, tallish, and add injuries into the mix, it's of no surprise (to anyone with a brain) his work rate is a bit down on the required.

Again, what's the hurry, we're still bottom 4 and shit house! I would think if he gets a decent run at it, he'll be fine! Not everyone is Harry Sheezel, the one bloke who's already wealthier than all his teammates combined, is also the hardest worker and most disciplined. Go figure.

I've said it before, but let us hope Zane gets a run at it so he can prove his worth (not to some of you as you're convinced we're gonna improve with the incumbent turnips), we actually need Zane to be real good and a POD up forward.


I disregard all that you say, mate. All. Obviously if you had something of value: ie a stock or Horse tip, I'd wilt. But let's be real here; you're happy to murder a zillion bees but won't eat a Chicken or a Cow or a Fish/Crustacean. Mmmm.

We won't even comment on your other misgivings.

I've said it before you're a good man, just a typical ABC/BBC man (Like my Dad to be honest). LOL. You no doubt bought that footage they admitted to doctoring.

Keep fluffing your turnips though, you're one of the best at it.

BGZ for the unread.

Dislocated Shoulder 2024 (still kicked 9 in 13 games in year 1)
Quad prior to Round 1 2025
Re-injured shoulder in 2025 was loose for remainder of year.

Kicked 9 in 13 versus JK 11 in 25, despite being 3 years younger than JK. Perhaps you need to have a think of what you classify as better. Sure JK runs hard and tries, but his kicking is the pits. It's all for nothing. He's too small to tackle the bigger exiting defenders he attempts to tackle, too.

His output is literally not helping us one iota. As hard as he tries.

Brayden George. 2 knees. 2 shoulders. Came back about 12% body fat or under. Injury isn't an excuse, and IMO that applies to more than just Zane.

 

[shinboner magic]

Is flying/ get on the bus spaces are filling up fast

 

[FlyHigh18]

i'm a believer, that mark he took floating across the pack in an early praccy match i think in his 1st year sticks with me. Average players don't do that. A clear run with injuries' and improved fitness we will see improvement

Ah yes… that time he took a good mark.

I liked Curtis Taylor’s mark on BBB head. But doubt anyone would remember that one.

 

[giantroo]

 

[Dinkers]

Yeh the only top 10 pick for North Melbourne in 20 years besides 'you know who' who will enter their 1st contract year unsigned.

But nothing to see here. Maybe he loves the club so much re-signing earlier would overwhelm his adrenal system.

Or he hopes to turn it around and earn more $$$ than he would if he signed currently. I mean there's a shit load of posters saying he's lazy, useless, not happy etc. So one could suggest he'd be offered cents on the dollar with his current output.

Nothing is ever as simple as some like to make it seem to be. Some posters once they get on one of their tangents will find a million examples of them being correct, when reality has shown, back in the opposite, much more likely.

 

[giantroo]

 

[Dinkers]

Geez he looks committed in those photos.

Wow looks so happy and content, a look of duusmation written all over his face.

 

[Shack18]

Looks strong through the core

 

[speedy]

BGZ is currently running at 4th best player in his family. I wonder how much shite he cops at the table at Xmas time by his fellow siblings. He should aim for top #2 by the end of 2026 in his family. That would be a realistic goal if we believe the hype on young Willem.

Hopefully it’s the kick up the arse to get him going.

 

[FlyHigh18]

View attachment 2478907View attachment 2478908View attachment 2478909

GR is it true you looked heaven and earth for a photo of duurs in the gym or laying a tackle, but couldn’t find one?

 

[RHLK]

Taking a baby step and he's already blowing....

 

[spicerFanClub]

Will be interested how his 2k goes against his previous. Desperately needs a tank to show off his talent

 

[andana]

Looks strong through the core

Dance makes better footballers
The Duursma family matriarch, Susan, who owns a dance school in Gippsland, believes football and dance go hand in hand.

"It helps with his spring and his agility," she said.

"We work on a lot of core [strength] in dancing, so he has good core strength — and that all sort of transfers to sports."


Core blimey

 

[BrownPaperBag]

Dance makes better footballers
The Duursma family matriarch, Susan, who owns a dance school in Gippsland, believes football and dance go hand in hand.

"It helps with his spring and his agility," she said.

"We work on a lot of core [strength] in dancing, so he has good core strength — and that all sort of transfers to sports."


Core blimey

(aiden) corr blimey

 

[Pres]

Will be interested how his 2k goes against his previous. Desperately needs a tank to show off his talent

Just don't expect any dramatic improvement there.

Any endurance gains are typically slow and steady and are the result of consistent conditioning work over a number of years.

 

[Midas]

This bloke’s cooked on what I can see … that’s not the rig of a bloke desperate to make something of his contract year.

I’ve been optimistic prior, love to be proven wrong, but he is gone for a second rounder at best year’s end.

 

[Gasometer]

Looking at those pics will go top 5 in BnF

 

[Chip Scab1]

This bloke’s cooked on what I can see … that’s not the rig of a bloke desperate to make something of his contract year.

I’ve been optimistic prior, love to be proven wrong, but he is gone for a second rounder at best year’s end.

he doesn't need to be anything but upright in March 2026. He's looking good. When you're shit (like Simpkin) you need to keep yourself in good shape, when you're as talented as Zane you just can't have shoulder injuries. He did, he's 20 and on his way back ffs. We have 10 turnips on our list and he's not one of them.

 

[RooInNorthLondon]

Duursma has to earn and hold a position this year. He is good enough if he wants it enough. Will he stay beyond that? Tomorrow’s problem not today’s.

 

[Midas]

he doesn't need to be anything but upright in March 2026. He's looking good. When you're shit (like Simpkin) you need to keep yourself in good shape, when you're as talented as Zane you just can't have shoulder injuries. He did, he's 20 and on his way back ffs. We have 10 turnips on our list and he's not one of them.

And want to be here as well.

 

[muttley45]

Maybe, with Willem going no 1 last night, it will be a little incentiviser for him to not be the worst of the 3 brother's

 

[shintemaster]

I still think build wise Zane looks another couple of pre seasons off the size he will need to play how we look to want him to play. It's going to take time if we keep trying to build the run he needs as well to get him able to provide the team stuff that is required when not taking hangers.

What's Fyfe doing at the moment - because that kind of size and running he had at his best takes Zane from eking out a career to an absolute weapon.