Player Watch #7: Zane Duursma

[ohh_v]

Are we doing him any favours though if we’re playing him half cooked with his shoulder issues?

 

[berniemccarthy]

Just needs consistent game time, no more sub roles, full games either at AFL or VFL level (injuries notwithstanding). He's played 18 games and in five of them he's been shifted in or out. I'll use the example as he's been brought in just as the other guy was being faded out but he's tracking pretty well at the same age as a 19-20yo Tarryn Thomas and he has a similar bag of tricks. For those misses on the weekend you also have stuff like that great goal the week before. The best way to get the most out of highly rated kids is to let them play footy (which is a little known quirk of the game).

He even moves a bit the same way with that really long stride. Was just thinking this morning what a difference he would have made if he was even partly sane.

 

[Val Keating]

Are we doing him any favours though if we’re playing him half cooked with his shoulder issues?

Depends how bad it is. Lots of players get post season shoulder surgery, it is very early in the season though to carry it.

If he does need surgery the only reason I can think of putting it off is because the club believes getting match fitness into him is better than his long term development than missing the remainder of the season.

It’s a tricky situation. I imagine they’d be keeping a close eye on how he deals with it.

 

[Dinkers]

I think it's a tad harsh comparing Duursma with others playing in sides that have produced much better results. Yep he arrived at AFL after having coasted during his junior years.
What he does do well is find space and mark the bloody thing. Normally he's a reliable shot on goal. Not sure he will ever be a high possession footballer, but I do think he could be one of those types you play on and think you've done well but then realise he's kicked 4 goals.

And having Larkey, Darling, Maley in the forward line probably doesn't help. I'm rather bullish on Zane.

 

[muttley45]

Half forward is not called starvation corner for nothing, tough gig regardless, but our delivery into F50 is hardly gold standard atm

 

[giantroo]

There was a moment in the game where he was on the outer wing and he walked through congestion like he had just parted the sea. With his big frame, he looked like a prime Fyfe.

Here it is:

View attachment az_recorder_20250512_193210_edited.mp4

 

[jay317]

If he's not right he wouldn't be out there. And he is, and he needs to show more. We're good at excusing players for lack of experience. This guy is a top 3 pick. Has shown enough glimpses. He's got enough around him. Need him to have a strong second half of the year.

 

[krakouers]

There was a moment in the game where he was on the outer wing and he walked through congestion like he had just parted the sea. With his big frame, he looked like a prime Fyfe.

Here it is:

View attachment 2312639

Have we tried him much in the middle in the VFL?

 

[giantroo]

Have we tried him much in the middle in the VFL?

Yeah, he played some minutes in there earlier in the year. Merlin007 or Kangaroos4eva might be able to confirm.

 

[ferball]

Yeah, he played some minutes in there earlier in the year. Merlin007 or Kangaroos4eva might be able to confirm.

He played VFL midfield and at times looked very good.

 

[koshari]

Ffs, whats he played? 12 games?

 

[Karanicolas]

Ffs, whats he played? 12 games?

Daicos, Sheezel and Ashcroft (x2) have raised our expectations on all draftees - unfairly.

In any event, Duursma at our stage of development is better off playing seniors. Unfair on others - probably. But he is a serious talent and we should be trying to fast track him.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

If he's not right he wouldn't be out there. And he is, and he needs to show more. We're good at excusing players for lack of experience. This guy is a top 3 pick. Has shown enough glimpses. He's got enough around him. Need him to have a strong second half of the year.

Yep, you’re definitely right. As long as he gets continuity I’m looking forward positively there’ll be less of us wondering if it was a missed opportunity pick come the end of the season.

 

[Merlin007]

There was a moment in the game where he was on the outer wing and he walked through congestion like he had just parted the sea. With his big frame, he looked like a prime Fyfe.

Here it is:

View attachment 2312639

hate to use the comparison, but James Hird was another who could imitate Moses like that

 

[Lavy_Panther]

Should keep playing him (injury permitting). Though, I will note that during the game on Sunday there was an incredibly obvious example of him jogging after an opponent who received the ball in the Brisbane f50 and lead to a goal. I get people being laconic, but noone can tell me that he tried to shut it down like his life depended on it. We need more players redlining in open defensive situations.

 

[ferball]

hate to use the comparison, but James Hird was another who could imitate Moses like that

Hird was a gun player and gutsy too. He'd have a ton more respect across the footy world if he hadn't been involved in all that peptide bullshit.

 

[Disco Dew]

I’m in the camp of if his shoulder ain’t right get it sorted. Though if it’s right enough just keep pumping games into him. I didn’t think he was ready for a call up when they brought him in but I think he’s building. Needs to get more involved and kick those snags.
He kicked that clutch goal against the dons last week which was delicious.

We’re seeing how the likes of Watto and caddy are going and feel as though we’ve ****ed up another pick.
Now I don’t know much about anything but let me assure you, BGZ is a freak and will show us in the not too distant future… or he’ll seek a trade as some fear where he’ll be a star for another club. And so it goes

 

[tazaa]

Have we tried him much in the middle in the VFL?

I said as much as in the changes thread last week.
I’d like to see Zane get some midfield minutes and exposure at some point.

 

[krakouers]

I said as much as in the changes thread last week.
I’d like to see Zane get some midfield minutes and exposure at some point.

Yeah, he played some minutes in there earlier in the year. Merlin007 or Kangaroos4eva might be able to confirm.

All good, just wondered if we gave him an extended run in the VFL to develop that part of his game... another option to rotate though with his frame may not be a bad thing

 

[tazaa]

All good, just wondered if we gave him an extended run in the VFL to develop that part of his game... another option to rotate though with his frame may not be a bad thing

The issue is his tank and blowing him up too early - but to back up your point he offers a different dynamic and getting him involved in the middle of the ground could be beneficial to us and him.

This weeks probably the best time to do it too

 

[krakouers]

The issue is his tank and blowing him up too early - but to back up your point he offers a different dynamic and getting him involved in the middle of the ground could be beneficial to us and him.

This weeks probably the best time to do it too

Yeah and that was my wondering about the VFL... saw the reports about him in there and wondered if trying to build his tank and running through the mid gave him more involvement and may pay off.. all good

 

[mattyb05]

Big fan of Zane, but surprised no one is talking about his defensive side or perceived lack of effort. Looked like he was absolutely coasting a couple of times in key moments on the weekend. One was a 3v2 between wing and the 50, looked like he could of easily got to the contest to impact/cause a turnover, but didn't and was just labouring out the back. Another where he was coasting back in transition, again could have got to one or two contests to tackle to prevent the goal. Defensive pressure doesnt seem to be his ace card.

 

[Harris 10]

Played 18 games, 5 as as starting sub, has carried injuries, had pre seasons impacted by injury and is still only 19 years old.

Looking forward to the next 10 years, he'll be a serious player in my opinion.

 

[Arthur Cloke]

Duursma was a strange selection with a top end pick when we already had 6 half forwards on our list???? Very strange.

Would Wizard Watson have been a more sensible selection? We are screaming for a decent small forward & yet we pass on him. I honestly don't get it.

I'd love to ask Signor Rawlings what the thought process was......

And please, spare me the "I'm happy with who we've got" notion.

 

[Val Keating]

Big fan of Zane, but surprised no one is talking about his defensive side or perceived lack of effort. Looked like he was absolutely coasting a couple of times in key moments on the weekend. One was a 3v2 between wing and the 50, looked like he could of easily got to the contest to impact/cause a turnover, but didn't and was just labouring out the back. Another where he was coasting back in transition, again could have got to one or two contests to tackle to prevent the goal. Defensive pressure doesnt seem to be his ace card.

It has been mentioned in this thread ad nauseam.