Draft Profile Sam Durdin

[Skippos]

Sam Durdin - KPF, KPD, 2nd Ruck
197cm, 87kg
6/6/96
West Adelaide/South Australia

Knightmare's Profile:

Player comparison: Jake Carlisle
Range: 3-10
Profile: Durdin is the better of the key position players available this year. He’s got the versatility to play forward or back to a high standard. He’s an excellent mover for a key position player with his athleticism and mobility at his height. He’s also one of the best users of the footy for a key position player you’ll find with his footskills excellent. He’s an excellent reader of the play and reads the flight of the ball as well as any. He’s a very strong mark overhead and has the ability at the highest point to clunk his marks but then also has the co-ordination below the knees and the ability at ground level to make him a real threat. It will be interesting to see whether he develops into a key forward or key defender, he has the ability to do either and do either well so that will be something to watch with interest.

Skippos's Profile:

Range: Top 10
Style: Jake Carlisle
Comparison: Lachie Hansen
Sam Durdin could just be the most risk/reward selection in the draft. No matter what way he goes, it's highly unlikely we see Durdin in 2015 and I can't see him really imposing himself for a good while. He'll probably take long enough to be regarded as a bust before breaking out. Durdin's one of those players who has all the parts to become something but they just haven't come together yet. At 197cm his athleticism and movement is superb, his field kicking is possibly the best around for someone of his size and his contested marking is incredibly natural as is his read of the ball in the air. It's those things that have Durdin so high on the draft boards despite the fact that he doesn't really have the runs on the board of late. Durdin has been trialled in every key position and really failed to impose himself in any. While he's played in the ruck for SA over the last two years I don't believe Durdin is capable of playing ruck in the AFL, I don't even think he'd be a worthwhile option as a 2nd ruck. His tapwork is serviceable but at his height with his frame he's just not competitive in contests around the ground nor does he lack the mongrel on the inside. He has the tools to be a successful forward but so far looks a little lost there. He isn't really much of a threat on the lead with his forward IQ being below par and his ability to both time his leads and place his leads to the right spots lacking. Personally I think despite his skills he doesn't have the brain to be a successful forward as he just seems unable to consistently create his own opportunties. As a defender is where I think he excels as there isn't a burden to create play and he's able to more follow and feed off a direct opponent instead. His closing speed is good, his athleticism good and his intercept game excellent as well as his ability to run a bit and create with his excellent footskills. When Durdin puts on some muscle his transformation will be very noticeable and will only serve to improve his dominance in contested situations; right now I feel his body is holding him back despite his natural touch.

Jourdan Canil's Profile:

Player Comparison: Lachie Henderson
Strengths: Versatility, agility, footskilss
Areas needing improvement: Finding one position to excel in,
GWS are the toughest to pick for in the first couple of picks. If there was an outstanding midfielder, I’d say they’d choose them first, but Brayshaw and Petracca aren’t quite of the pick two quality. Instead, they find themselves with Durdin. I believe he is best suited down back, as his reading of the play is exceptional and his footskills are very reliable. His agility is great for someone at 197cm and he has all the skills to be an excellent centre half back. He can also ruck and go forward to great effect, but GWS already has plenty of forwards and they just took Lobb last year.

Paige's Profile:

Projected Draft Range: Top five
Plays Like: Ben Reid
Sam Durdin’s National Championships for South Australia will play a huge role in exactly how high he goes in the draft this year, since starting the year late due to a ruptured tendon in his thumb. He started the carnival slowly with lower numbers that his usual quota, but a standout game in round three has seen his average bump up to 12.6 disposals at 70% efficiency, four marks, 6.3 contested possessions and two inside 50s. Durdin is widely regarded as not only as the best swingman on the open market but also as the best key position defender, too. At 197 cm, he’s a touch taller than Hugh Goddard but his athleticism, rangy frame and the way he attacks the ball both in the air offensively and defensively make a compelling statement of the overall player that he is. Durdin has shown an appetite to be utilised in the ruck, where his reach and nous to palm the ball down to his midfielders has won plaudits. Unlike most key defenders who prefer to distribute the ball by hand, Durdin loves to use his raking right boot to hit up targets, not too dissimilar to Collingwood’s Ben Reid and North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson. He moves in a Lachie Henderson-type mould in the sense that he goes well in the air and below his knees. His game against Western Australia was significant; he gathered 17 disposals and four marks, whilst notching 11 hit-outs making a big statement at the top level. He has already shown he’s more than adept to playing senior football, and could very well contest for the number one pick, depending on the final standings.

Gee Dub's Profile:

Player comparison: Lachie Henderson
Durdin came into this year with an injury and only returned to football at the beginning of the Champs, but he is beginning to show why he is so highly rated. His marking ability and versatility are his main strengths and his exposure to senior football for West Adelaide has only helped his development. He can take a great grab, as he reads the ball well in the air and hits the ball at pace, taking it at its highest point. He can play at both ends of the ground, as well as in the ruck, although I prefer him as a defender who can swing forward. His kicking is good for a big guy and he provides plenty of drive off half back, cutting off the ball with his excellent marking and moving it on accurately. His athleticism is excellent, which was highlighted in the Champs game against Vic Country where he beat his opponent to a bouncing ball on the wing and outran him, tapping it forward to keep it inside the field of play and then looping a handball over an opponent to set up a goal. This athleticism and x-factor, combined with his marking and skills, makes him a very good prospect, particularly when he puts on some weight.

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Media:

Durdin set to return in Foxtel Cup
Durdin set to be first South Australian picked in the draft
AFL.com.au catch up with Sam Durdin
SANFL.com.au interview Sam Durdin


Footage:

Durdin a real draft diamond

 

[Bailey01]

Could he slip to our pick?

 

[Skippos]

Could he slip to our pick?

I doubt it but stranger things have happened.

 

[Thunderstruck]

He hasn't had the best year but pulled out his best performance in the Under 18 GF getting the medal for BOG.

http://www.sanfl.com.au/livestats/match1/ stats there and replay. 48 hitouts and 7 tackles, great to see his defensive side as well. His ruck opponent not much chop however. Watchman with 4 goals for those who are a fan

 

[beowulf]

He hasn't had the best year but pulled out his best performance in the Under 18 GF getting the medal for BOG.

http://www.sanfl.com.au/livestats/match1/ stats there and replay. 48 hitouts and 7 tackles, great to see his defensive side as well. His ruck opponent not much chop however. Watchman with 4 goals for those who are a fan

Looking at Durdin last year I thought he would have developed more than he has. However, his early season injury issues definitely appear to have impacted on him.
I am glad he could come up for his biggest game of the year though.
I am very much undecided about Durdin now. I think he may slip down the order a bit: his less than stellar form and his not overly impressive results at the Draft Camp may effect how the pros see him come Draft Day. I still think he has a lot to offer, but I am not as confident as I was that he will be a superstar.
I'll probably be proved wrong again: I've been bitten a few times a recent years. But I look with interest to see where he ends up come the ND.

 

[redandblack]

I have no doubt that Sam's hand injury affected him for most of the season. I don't think he was his usual self until very late in the season.

A quality lad and I think if he drops,someone will get a bargain.

The player to watch, not much mentioned, is Brett Turner. A goal kicking midfielder, he was heavily tagged in the finals, but was still very good.

 

[john farrugia]

reminds me of peter steward played c.h.b for north in the 60s represented vic.....a champion player.