Rising Star Showdown: Jagga Smith vs Willem Duursma
Saturday’s clash between Carlton and West Coast promises to be a high-stakes encounter, not just for the teams but also for the AFL’s Rising Star award. This match will see two of the league’s most promising young talents, Jagga Smith and Willem Duursma, face off for the first time in their professional careers. Both players have made significant impacts this season, making their competition for the Rising Star title one of the most anticipated in recent years.
A Stellar Start from Willem Duursma
Willem Duursma, the No.1 draft pick, has quickly become a standout for West Coast. The 19-year-old has been a revelation in his first season, consistently delivering strong performances. His stats are impressive, with an average of 19.1 disposals, 2.5 clearances, 358m gained, and 3.4 tackles per game, along with nine goals. These numbers highlight his all-around contribution to the team and his potential as a future star.
Despite being a top draft pick, Duursma has shown a unique focus on the defensive side of the game, which is rare for someone of his caliber. Eagles coach Andrew McQualter acknowledges that his opinion may be biased, but he believes Duursma is currently leading the race for the Rising Star award.
“He cares about the defensive side of the game, which dare I say is slightly unusual for a No.1 draft pick,” McQualter said. “He’s certainly been able to provide some defensive efforts, which we’ve shown in team meetings, and he’s nowhere near a finished product.”
McQualter added that Duursma has the potential to grow even further, driven by his desire to be great and help the team succeed. “He’s been able to come into an AFL team, first year … play on the wing, play inside mid, and be able to influence games in different ways.”
Jagga Smith’s Resilience and Performance
Jagga Smith, the No.3 pick from the 2024 national draft, had his first season cut short due to a knee injury. However, he has returned this year with a renewed sense of determination. So far this season, Smith is averaging 23.9 disposals, 3.7 clearances, 234m gained, and 2.3 tackles per game, along with three goals. His performance against the Giants last week, where he recorded 26 disposals and six clearances, showcased his ability to make a significant impact on the field.
Carlton, under interim coach Josh Fraser, has seen a dramatic improvement in form, securing five consecutive wins and positioning themselves as serious contenders for a wildcard finals berth. On the other hand, West Coast (4-10) would have been in the race for a wildcard spot if not for close losses to Port Adelaide and North Melbourne before their bye week.
Team News and Key Players
The Eagles will be strengthened by the return of Jack Graham from shoulder surgery for Saturday’s match at Marvel Stadium. Additionally, Duursma (calf) and Tom McCarthy (hamstring) are also back, providing more depth to the team.
Jake Waterman’s goalkicking will be a key focus for the Eagles in this game. Despite a challenging start to the season with a 31.37 goal conversion rate, McQualter remains confident in Waterman’s abilities.
“Confidence comes and goes, and you just build it through belief and evidence, and it’s a mental thing for sure,” McQualter said. “But the beauty for Jake is that for a long time, for all of his life, he has been a great kick of goal, so he’s just got to get that feeling back.”
