In Perth, Willem Duursma, the West Coast Eagles’ top draft pick, has begun his AFL pre-season with the club, facing a gruelling initiation after relocating to Western Australia. The early sessions have underscored the intensity of his transition as the Eagles prioritise conditioning and development ahead of the season to come.
Duursma arrived with high expectations attached to his status as a first-round selection and former junior standout. The 2024/2025 off-season move placed him squarely in the heart of a demanding training program, with staff emphasising sustained workloads, tempo work, and the building blocks required to handle AFL-level competition. Perth’s climate and the Eagles’ schedule mean a heavy focus on adaptation, match fitness, and the mental shift that accompanies life at this level of footy.
What we know
- Duursma is entrenched in the Eagles’ pre-season cohort as a high-profile draft acquisition and is training alongside the senior group in Perth.
- The program has stressed conditioning, endurance, and strength work designed to lift his AFL readiness over the coming weeks.
- Coaches are monitoring his progression closely as part of a broader plan to integrate him into the club’s game style and tactical structure.
- Early sessions have included a mix of high-intensity drills and controlled workloads to manage overload while building fitness.
- Club officials have signalled that progress will be assessed continually with an eye toward the season opener while balancing development with exposure to AFL-level demands.
What we don’t know
- Whether he will be ready for the season opener or start in the reserves as he beds into AFL pace.
- How his particular strengths will translate within the Eagles’ midfield-forward mix and the exact role he will occupy.
- What injury concerns or soreness might arise in the early blocks and how they would affect selection decisions.
- What adjustments the coaching staff may implement to balance workload with ongoing development for the rookie.
- How quickly he will adapt to life in Perth and integrate into team culture off the field.
As the weeks unfold, all eyes will be on how Duursma converts the intensity of training into on-field impact. The path from rookie to regular contributor is rarely linear, and the Eagles’ medical and coaching teams will be watching closely as they guide him through a pivotal early chapter in his AFL career.
