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MONDAY NOVEMBER 26 2018 SPORT 35 Duursma set to fit right in at Port ANDREW CAPEL XAVIER Duursma is poised to quickly become a Port Adel- “I think that I aide favourite. Arriving in Adelaide from am a really Melbourne yesterday with fel- low Victorian draftee Zak But- hard ters and greeted by a host of his competitor” new Power teammates, Duurs- ma declared he loves to “put XAVIER DUURSMA my head in the hole’’ and has a POWER RECRUIT “never-give-up attitude’’. “I think that I am a really Victorian TAC Cup side hard competitor and I never Gippsland Power this year and give up, something that suits finished third in the best and Port Adelaide’s play style,’’ said fairest, averaging 23 disposals. the 18-year-old midfielder/ His dad Dean was on Syd- half-back, who was the Power's ney and Melbourne’s lists but second pick (No. 18 overall) at did not play an AFL match. the national draft. “They’ve both had a very “I’ve got good intensity at big influence on my career,’’ the ball and apply plenty of said Xavier. pressure, I love to win one on While he models his style ones. But I can also win the ball on Cotchin, Duursma’s game on the outside too. I like to has been compared more with think I’m like a young Trent rebounding Carlton defender Cotchin (Richmond premier- Sam Docherty. ship captain) and can run and He’s a good size at 186cm carry the ball as well as put my but will need to add some mus- head in the hole.’’ cle to his light 73kg frame. Orren Stephenson, in the ruck for VFL team Richmond, has proven an inspiration for Darcy Fort to keep on pushing for his dream of Except Duursma is quicker While some interstate being an AFL player to become a reality. Fort was selected by Geelong in the national draft Picture: MARK WILSON than Cotchin. draftees are “flight risks’’, Du- “He has good step through ursma said he was “rapt’’ to be traffic and an exciting burst of at Port. speed when breaking the lines He said he expected to be from defence or out of the mid- drafted by an Adelaide club, Fort inspired by ripe rucks field,’’ AFL talent ambassador with the Crows also showing Kevin Sheehan said. strong interest in him before Port coach Ken Hinkley the annual player lottery. JON RALPH mont only five minutes from The 99kg big man flew back knew I could go forward and said Duursma “brings a lot of “I had a strong feeling I Kardinia Park then completed into Melbourne last night to kick goals and take big marks. run and carry and has an out- would end up at one of the Ad- THE national draft’s oldest a football odyssey through a start training at Geelong this I was inspired by Orren Ste- standing future’’. elaide clubs,’’ said Duursma, recruit says the success of trio of state league clubs. morning, realising a dream phenson because I had rucked “He’s a half-back intercept who grew up barracking for mature-aged ruckmen Ryan After time at VFL clubs seven seasons after he was first against him when he came marker who can push up into the Lions. Abbott and Orren Stephenson Werribee and Footscray, three overlooked by AFL clubs. into the AFL as a 29-year-old the middle of the ground and I “I can’t wipe the smile off inspired him to keep chasing excellent seasons at SANFL “I played my first year at and he towelled me up a cou- know our recruiting manager my face. It’s a dream come true his dream. club Central Districts con- Geelong Falcons when I was 19 ple of times. It always gave me Geoff Parker is really excited because all I’ve ever wanted to Darcy Fort, 25, was taken at vinced Geelong that he was and came out to South Austra- hope there was plenty of time to get him,’’ Hinkley said. do since I was a kid is to play pick 68 by Geelong as a 205cm AFL-ready. lia to play for Centrals for three to make it.” The nephew of former Syd- AFL footy. ruckman on Friday, the Cats’ A civil engineer working on years, and it was just a natural Athletic tall Rhys Stanley ney, Brisbane and Melbourne “I’m glad Port has given me ruck issues entering next sea- highways and bridges in Adel- progression of getting fitter and established himself as the Cats’ defender Jamie Duursma, who that chance and I look forward son meaning he has a real aide over the past seven stronger and having more ex- first ruckman last year but as played 59 AFL games from to repaying the faith.’’ chance to shine. months, he took time off from perience in my ruck craft he battled injury Abbott im- 1985-89, including the De- Duursma was one of five The former Geelong Falcon work on Friday to watch the against bigger bodies,” he said. pressed in four games, includ- mons’ 1988 grand final loss to players the Power selected at grew up in Geelong suburb Bel- draft by himself at home. “After three years there I ing an elimination final. Hawthorn, Xavier captained the national draft. Richmond’s tough love inspires young gun Stocker to repay Carlton’s faith in him THE midfielder Carlton might Blues will hand over pick one level. Richmond hit him be- on my weaknesses through the have criticised me on. I am posals and 5.6 clearances in a sacrifice next year’s No. 1 pick and cough up nearly 1000 draft tween the eyes at a draft com- season and it was defensive slowly getting better and year where he missed the na- for says Richmond’s brutal as- points to the Crows. bine interview in October, transition,’’ he said. breaking my jaw then injuring tional championships with in- sessment of his weaknesses has But the Blues only need to challenging him on his spread “I took that to heart and my shoulder going into finals jury. fuelled his desire to make the finish 16th and see Adelaide and lack of fitness. went through a mini pre-sea- made that tough. Stocker was handed his grade at AFL level. finish eighth next year for the He said after the shock live son in the last month or so. I “But I ran a sub 7 minute Carlton jumper by Blues direc- Morrish Medallist Liam sides to effectively break even trade that saw the teams swap needed a kick up the bum to (2km time trial) last week tor Chris Judd but it was the Stocker was taken at No. 19 in given Adelaide has already 2019 first-rounders and Adel- get into gear, so that had made which shows my improvement new co-captain he has stalked Thursday night’s draft in the handed over pick 19. aide hand over this year’s pick me doubt in my mind if Rich- from pre-season. It’s not at this year. boldest move of Steve Silva- Stocker is a tough inside 19, he was ready to vindicate mond could pick me. AFL standard yet but it shows I “I picked a couple of inside gni’s Carlton list build. mid from the Sandringham Carlton’s faith. “I am a heavy inside con- can improve.” mids in the competition and If Carlton again finishes last Dragons, who admits his en- “I had a pretty confronting tested mid for now (85kg, Carlton rated Stocker at be- picked what they do in games,” and Adelaide wins the durance is nowhere near good interview with Richmond at 183cm) and my endurance has tween 5-10 on its 2018 draft he said. “Patty Cripps was a big premiership next year, the enough yet to thrive at AFL the combine. They struck me long been something people board after he averaged 22 dis- one for me.” V1 - NTNE01Z01MA.

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