REPORT: Xavier Duursma Sends Strong Message To Essendon Bombers

Xavier Duursma has acknowledged that the Bombers are still grappling with understanding the reasons behind their inconsistent performances from week to week, even as the team strengthens its position for the finals with a promising start to the year.

As a first-year player at Essendon, Duursma expressed his enjoyment of his experience at the club’s training facility, particularly appreciating the support he received from certain coaches during his transition from Port Adelaide in the offseason.

Following their victory over the Western Bulldogs last Friday, improving their season record to 3-2, Essendon finds itself tied for wins with seventh-placed Fremantle. Despite showing strength in certain areas like clearances, the team continues to face issues that hinder their performance, notably in offensive and defensive transitions.

While the Bombers have excelled in clearances, their struggles in defensive transition were evident, ranking poorly in preventing opposition movements from defensive 50 to inside 50. Similarly, their offensive transition from defensive 50 to forward 50 has been lacking, affecting their ability to consistently generate scoring opportunities.

Duursma emphasized the importance of addressing these weaknesses to achieve greater consistency, highlighting the need for improvement in transition defense as a key factor. Despite these challenges, Essendon has shown resilience, bouncing back from losses and focusing on maintaining their momentum.

Duursma himself had a standout performance against the Bulldogs, showcasing his skills with 20 disposals, 13 marks, and two goals. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from the club and his coaches, who have emphasized leveraging his strengths, such as his running ability and pressure on the ground.

Looking ahead, the Bombers aim to secure their fourth win of the season as they face the Crows on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.