Exciting news for North Melbourne fans as two young talents, Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma, are set to debut in the AFL season opener against Greater Western Sydney this Saturday.
McKercher and Duursma, both 18 years old, joined the team in November after being selected with the club’s top picks in the 2023 AFL Draft, numbers 2 and 4 respectively.
McKercher, known for his explosive speed and precise left foot, caught recruiters’ attention with his ability to generate scoring opportunities for his teammates. Hailing from Launceston, he played a key role in Tasmania Devils’ U18 Boys Coates Talent League, averaging impressive stats of 29 disposals and a goal per game.
Duursma, on the other hand, brings reliable goal-scoring skills and strong marking abilities. Having kicked over 30 goals in each of his last two seasons with the Gippsland Power, he earned accolades such as best and fairest, All-Australian, and Coates Talent League Team of the Year honors.
Interestingly, Duursma joins his siblings Xavier and Yasmin in the AFL, marking a significant family legacy in the sport.
The exciting news of their debut came during Tuesday’s team meeting, building anticipation for the full Round 1 team announcement on Thursday night. North Melbourne supporters will undoubtedly be eager to see these promising youngsters in action as they kickstart their AFL careers.
