Player Watch #7: Zane Duursma

[zoomba23]

Never formally requested. That was the talk in the offseason. Was just open to a move.

Still doesn't scream 'in love with the club,' does it. Hopefully finding his groove now. Looks happier and more involved than he's ever been to date

 

[chubbspeterson]

Actually got ghosted a few times but agree could get more involved, but you think you would take a daryl white career at worst surely?

For sure. I always rated BGZ. Daryl White not a bad comp. Definitely floats across the pack like him and just makes stuff happen when he gets it.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Hey Chip Scab1 . We're co pilots on this thing.

Ooof.

Many of us were believers. Most of us draft followers said he's likely to break out this year.
So far so good. Many laughed at us, just couldn't see it. He's just scratching the surface imo with wing/mid potential too.
Hope he stays as he looks invested in his role, the team and looks to be enjoying it and keeps building each game.
Maybe as others said him finding a few friends in Urqy, Bath and Thredders has helped him settle in as well.
If starts producing that against better teams and opponents, then look out when he starts to feel like he belongs.
He'll have his ups and downs as he goes along when he draws better defenders, but someone else will get off the chain.
Happy for him that he's started well and he's made some strides with his defensive acts. Keep it rolling BGZ.

 

[the big lebowski]

Still doesn't scream 'in love with the club,' does it. Hopefully finding his groove now. Looks happier and more involved than he's ever been to date

I think it was pretty clear he didn’t love the club or his first 2 years

Seems things are now on the right track

 

[DuckYeah]

I worry when Wardlaw holds off talks considering his brain and his body. You would think he should jump at any contract which is financially fair and rewarding. However we already know what GW worth is based on his sample size

I dont worry so much when a player like Duurs holds off as his first 2 years significantly impacted his worth. Right now he is worth 550-600 by the end of the year he could be north of 700.. holding out makes sense from his management perspective.

 

[7577969923]

I think it was pretty clear he didn’t love the club or his first 2 years

Seems things are now on the right track

If it's a friendship with Cooper Trembath that's helped him finally settle in and feel a sense of belonging at the club, then that only makes me like Trembath even more. They could form an amazing partnership in our forward line for the next decade. Our version of Cam Mooney and Stevie J.

I'm sure getting his body right and being backed in to find his best role in the seniors has helped as well.

 

[DuckYeah]

If it's a friendship with Cooper Trembath that's helped him finally settle in and feel a sense of belonging at the club, then that only makes me like Trembath even more. They could form an amazing partnership in our forward line for the next decade. Our version of Cam Mooney and Stevie J.

I'm sure getting his body right and being backed in to find his best role in the seniors has helped as well.

I have a feeling there was a bit of “I am not a midfielder, I play half forward. Stop playing me there in the twos, play me in the ones as a forward or I am out”

 

[muttley45]

I have no doubt whatsoever, that if Jy wasn't at full pelt pouncing on that loose ball for the last goal, BGZ would have taken care of business

 

[DuckYeah]

I have no doubt whatsoever, that if Jy wasn't at full pelt pouncing on that loose ball for the last goal, BGZ would have taken care of business

How bad was the PC kick? No one is talking about that, it was a barry crocker

 

[chubbspeterson]

The talent was never in question.

The desire to compete was.

That is no longer the case.

Some posters questioned his talent and wrote him off. They will look pretty silly.
Hopefully it's a reminder for fans not too write young players off too quickly.
Even Jhye Clark at the Cats is starting to show a fair bit now from the Wardlaw/Sheez draft.
Some players hit the ground running and some take 3-5 years to be ready for AFL footy.

 

[marklovesbeer]

Still doesn't scream 'in love with the club,' does it. Hopefully finding his groove now. Looks happier and more involved than he's ever been to date

Looks like he’s in a little click now with Trembath & Thredgold too. That sort of stuff goes a long way. Those two lads weren’t at the club this time last year.

 

[DuckYeah]

Some posters questioned his talent and wrote him off. They will look pretty silly.
Hopefully it's a reminder for fans not too write young players off too quickly.
Even Jhye Clark at the Cats is starting to show a fair bit now from the Wardlaw/Sheez draft.
Some players hit the ground running and some take 3-5 years to be ready for AFL footy.

Ya see, I think our club did him a disservice by trying him to play in the midfield and wings. Thats not his go. It was negligence.

 

[marklovesbeer]

How bad was the PC kick? No one is talking about that, it was a barry crocker

Decent intercept a second earlier though.

 

[7577969923]

How bad was the PC kick? No one is talking about that, it was a barry crocker

How good was BGZ's run to get to deep forward after starting the move from the wing? Shows he is starting to run games out.

I think PC may have overcooked his kick a little, but give him the benefit of the doubt that he was intending to kick it to grass for BGZ to run on to. He erred to the right side.

 

[7577969923]

Ya see, I think our club did him a disservice by trying him to play in the midfield and wings. Thats not his go. It was negligence.

He was getting lost in the forward line. May have been an attempt to get him involved a bit more.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

How good was BGZ's run to get to deep forward after starting the move from the wing? Shows he is starting to run games out.

I think PC may have overcooked his kick a little, but give him the benefit of the doubt that he was intending to kick it to grass for BGZ to run on to. He erred to the right side.

I thought that at the ground from behind the kick, but on the tv from behind the goals it was perfect, both Jy and Zane were going to get to it before any opponent. Credit to Zane for getting it forward to create the opportunity, running so hard to make sure it ended in a goal, and then being delighted to let Jy grab it and kick the sealer. Watching his reaction and celebration with Jy and the other players as they ran inwas priceless.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

I thought that at the ground from behind the kick, but on the tv from behind the goals it was perfect, both Jy and Zane were going to get to it before any opponent. Credit to Zane for getting it forward to create the opportunity, running so hard to make sure it ended in a goal, and then being delighted to let Jy grab it and kick the sealer. Watching his reaction and celebration with Jy and the other players as they ran inwas priceless.

Also noticed a certain #10 with bruised ribs (if you believe Caro ) putting in one hell of a sprint to get to the top of the square as well. His little chat with Clarko still fresh in his ears and he willed himself to get to that contest if needed.

 

[shinboner magic]

Still doesn't scream 'in love with the club,' does it. Hopefully finding his groove now. Looks happier and more involved than he's ever been to date

I wouldn’t be in love with the club either , if they were selecting kont before me

 

[Blightys Barrel]

He seemed to be running hard in the 4th quarter, was getting back defensively and running forward in the same passage of play. Is his tank an issue? CCJ was blowing in the 1st quarter.

CCJ is blowing after the warm ups

 

[chubbspeterson]

No need for it. Get the ball in his hands 15 times he’ll kick 5+

Agree. Midfield can come in time when the strength and tank build further.

 

[Chadwiko]

BGZ didn’t request a trade he was open to it.

Not accurate.

 

[Passmore]

Still doesn't scream 'in love with the club,' does it. Hopefully finding his groove now. Looks happier and more involved than he's ever been to date

Once Zane, Cooper, and Blake all locked eyes.....

 

[chubbspeterson]

I worry when Wardlaw holds off talks considering his brain and his body. You would think he should jump at any contract which is financially fair and rewarding. However we already know what GW worth is based on his sample size

I dont worry so much when a player like Duurs holds off as his first 2 years significantly impacted his worth. Right now he is worth 550-600 by the end of the year he could be north of 700.. holding out makes sense from his management perspective.

I would speculate that the George situation might be more about playing consistent footy and whether there is the confidence and trust in the medical/fitness staff to get him right. Hopefully the external advice sought works.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Ya see, I think our club did him a disservice by trying him to play in the midfield and wings. Thats not his go. It was negligence.

Sure in the short term from a strength and fitness point of view he wasn't ready to play mid/wings.
But I'm sure that's part of his longer term education to be able to be moved around like Burgoyne was able to.
He's played a bit of wing this year when we had to shift a few players around in the WCE game.

 

[FlyHigh18]

Some posters questioned his talent and wrote him off. They will look pretty silly.
Hopefully it's a reminder for fans not too write young players off too quickly.
Even Jhye Clark at the Cats is starting to show a fair bit now from the Wardlaw/Sheez draft.
Some players hit the ground running and some take 3-5 years to be ready for AFL footy.

no one questioned his talent, stop making shit up in your own little bubble.

many questioned his effort and laziness both on and off the field. this was also raised in end of year and by self admission.

lastly, playing him out of position was not the cause of his issues. He was moved there to help him find the ball. It didn't work.

he looks to have started 2026 with a better mindset, there's literally no one here unhappy with this.