There’s another Duursma on the way, and he could just be 2025’s No.1 pick

A fourth Duursma sibling is on their way to the AFL ranks in 2025 in the form of Willem, according to AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan.

Currently, Willem’s three older siblings Xavier, Zane and Yasmin are all on AFL/AFLW lists with Essendon, North Melbourne and Carlton respectively.

While Xavier went at Pick 18 in 2018 and Zane went at Pick 4 in 2023, keen watchers of underage footy think that Willem could go even higher than his brothers and challenge for Pick 1 in 2025.

AFL Media draft guru Cal Twomey is one onlooker who loves what the recently turned 17-year-old is doing for Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League this year.

Sheehan backed up Twomey’s opinion after watching Duursma up close for Vic Country in their U18 Championships win over Western Australia last Saturday in Perth.

In that game, Duursma kicked a goal to go with 13 disposals across half-back and Sheehan described what kind of player he’s shaping up to be.

“You have to wait a year for him,” Sheehan told SEN Afternoons.

“It’s the fourth one, his name is Willem and jeez he’s a good player down back.

“He's the tallest of all of them. He might have got the leftovers at the table a few years back, but he's big enough now to fight for himself.

“He's about 191-2cm or so, kicks it beautifully from down back and is a great decision-maker.

“I saw him play last Saturday over in WA in slippery and wet conditions and he handled himself so well. He was so composed.

“So, look out for him.”

Duursma is averaging 15.4 disposals, 5.1 marks and 2.8 inside 50s a game playing for the Power in the Coates Talent League this season.