Essendon recruit Xavier Duursma has revealed Brad Scott's ideal role for the ex-Power midfielder upon the commencement of his Bombers career.
Duursma, who now has a sister and brother making waves in the AFL and AFLW systems, was traded from Port Adelaide to Essendon during October's exchange period.
Just over a month into his newest venture, Duursma labelled his Bombers experience "fantastic" to this point.
"It's been fantastic so far, I'm enjoying it," said Duursma. "Obviously, it's a new club and everything like that, but at the same time it's still just footy and [I'm] enjoying it a lot. It's been good."
Duursma's younger brother, Zane, was drafted to North Melbourne as a top-five selection last month, while his sister, Yasmin, also publicised her desire to depart Alberton; requesting a trade from Port Adelaide to Carlton just days ago.
"I think, onceย โ hopefullyย โ my sister gets all of that [trade] stuff sorted and she'll be here hopefully in Victoria as well, it'll be really exciting," Duursma said of Yasmin's situation with the Power and being closer to family in his home state.
"I'll be trying to get back as much as I can, seeing my family and friends on weekends," he continued.
"I'm really lucky to be able to do that and be really close to them and not have to get off a flight to see them."
Duursma also fielded questions about his probable role in Essendon colours, as well as the circumstances surrounding his Alberton departure.
"The role they (the Bombers) see me and I see myself playing is obviously as a winger," Duursma stated.
"I think that my skillset has [consisted of] good endurance running and being able to get up and down the ground all day and provide some aerial support.
"I think [they're] some of my strengths and I think I'm going to be able to do that (at Essendon), and that's what Brad (Scott) and the coaching staff were able to sell to me.
"I think that makes perfect sense for what I'll try to be able to bring, so I'll be doing a fair bit of that and obviously I just want to be able to help the team build a really good, strong culture and move forward with that."
Speaking on farewelling the Power this year, Duursma claimed his situation at Port culminated in "a mutual agreement" to part ways.
"It's a little bit of a mutual agreement there I think in the end," Duursma said.
"I think there was definitely an element of that (both sides wanting to part ways), but at the same time there was a good chance there for myself to get a really good, fresh start, and I think coming to the Bombers, it's definitely worked at the start.
"I'm feeling really good here about it (the move) and [I'm] enjoying my time here so far."
The 23-year-old also addressed his physical health going into the new season, noting his near-completed recovery from a hip-flexor ailment.
"[I'm] just managing some hip-flexor stuff," he declared. "I should be fine, it's not going to last.
"It'll be fine, [I'm] just getting on top of it now ... Hopefully [I'll] be full training pre-Christmas at some stage, but at the moment, just taking it step-by-step and getting myself right."
