The one-year deal will see Yasmin focus on developing her game and trying to be the best player she can be.
PORT Adelaide’s AFLW side drafted Foster’s Yasmin Duursma with pick 45 in last Wednesday’s AFLW national draft.
Yasi, the younger sister of Xavier who plays with the men’s AFL side jumped on a plane first thing Thursday morning to move interstate and live with him.
She watched the draft on TV at home in Foster with her family and nan who were all very excited.
The 18-year-old left-footer has played about 18 games locally for the Gippsland Power side and five for Vic Country which was enough to showcase her ability to warrant being selected.
Duursma had a breakout performance at the under-18 national championships for Victoria Country, culminating in the final match where she collected 22 disposals, five marks, four tackles and six rebound 50s, with 85 per cent kicking efficiency.
She has built her football profile on her own terms as a player who can read the play and use the footy well.
As one of seven picks to be selected by Port Adelaide at the Draft, Duursma takes Port Adelaide one step closer to having a complete AFLW squad.
Port Adelaide List Manager Naomi Maidment said Yasmin is an under-18 product from Gippsland Power and performed well for Vic Country at the under-18 national championships. She has real strength in her endurance and ability to keep running. She’s a left-footer, which we love, and made the transition from midfield to defence late in the under-18 champs, which really caught our eye. She has relocated to South Australia, will complete year 12 remotely and then hopes to study marine biology and business at university. Yasmin has a bubbly personality that will gel well with our current list.
AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan said the left-footer is a versatile player, using the ball productively in the championships for Vic Country averaging 14.3 disposals at 74 per cent efficiency. Had similar numbers for the Power averaging 13.6 disposals (50 per cent contested) to be a shining light for her team.
Yasi told The Mirror shortly after arriving in Adelaide that it was hard to believe it’s real and everything seemed a bit crazy!
The one-year deal will see her focus on developing her game and trying to be the best player she can be.
She has been told she will mainly play in the backline. Training consists of two main sessions on Monday and Wednesday night with Tuesday and Thursday developing skills and fitness work. Trainings are later in the day as most players either have jobs or are studying. They are not full-time players yet. The 4–5-week pre-season kicks off straight away as the new season starts in August.
Yasmin who is currently studying Year 12, will continue her studies on-line, before flying back to do her exams later in the year.
Yasmin wanted to thank all her family who have supported her and everyone at the Gippsland Power program which has given her the opportunity to be drafted.
No doubt everyone will follow her career with plenty of interest as another of the very talented Duursma family embark on their chosen careers.
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