The West Coast Eagles have taken a monumental step in their ongoing team rebuild, selecting young gun Willem Duursma with the coveted first pick in the 2025 AFL draft.
A Family Affair at the Top
The historic moment unfolded at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, when AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon officially called Duursma's name. Hailing from the small Victorian town of Foster in Gippsland, with a population of just over 2000, the 18-year-old's selection continues a remarkable family dynasty.
He becomes the fourth Duursma sibling to reach the elite level, joining brothers Xavier at Essendon and Zane at North Melbourne, as well as sister Yasmin, who plays for Carlton.
In a heartwarming scene, Duursma was presented with his new West Coast jumper by rising Eagles superstar Harley Reid, who had previously played alongside brother Zane in junior representative sides.
A Prospect Fulfilling His Promise
Duursma's ascent to the top pick comes as no surprise to those who have followed his junior career. Tipped as the standout player in his class years before his final underage season, he lived up to the hype by being named the Most Valuable Player for Victoria Country at this year's under-18 national championships.
His versatility is a key asset. While he earned his spot in the under-18 All Australian side as a defender, Duursma has proven he can be a genuine game-changer across the ground.
He has demonstrated the ability to win the ball in the midfield and is a genuine scoring threat when moved into the forward line, making him a valuable and flexible piece for the Eagles' coaching staff.
Proving His Mettle on Bigger Stages
The talented utility has already had a taste of what's to come in Perth. During the national championships, he delivered a standout performance against Western Australia at Mineral Resources Park, the Eagles' own training facility, gathering 27 disposals with Harley Reid watching from the sidelines.
Duursma also showed he could handle the physicality of senior football, making a successful leap to the VFL in the latter part of the season with Melbourne-aligned Casey Demons.
His VFL debut was particularly impressive, racking up 17 disposals and taking 10 marks, signalling he is well-prepared for the challenges of AFL football.
By selecting Duursma, West Coast adds another crown jewel to its emerging list, following their acquisition of Harley Reid with the first pick just two years prior in 2023. Duursma now joins an exclusive club as only the fourth No.1 draft pick in Eagles history, alongside Reid, Michael Gardiner (1996), and Drew Banfield (1992).
