WITH practice matches fast approaching, the Blues' 2025 pre-season is nearing its end — and Yasmin Duursma is itching for the season to begin.
After battling injury and inconsistent selection since arriving at IKON Park, Duursma has been putting in the work this pre-season in a bid to make her mark in Navy Blue.
“It’s gone really quick when you think about it, but everyone is working super hard and I’m really excited for what we have to show this year,” Duursma said.
“Heading into the pre-season, I just wanted to keep the body in good form – no injuries, which was really lucky.
“It was mainly keeping myself fit and available to get through the whole pre-season and I think I put myself in a good place to go into the season.”
Duursma is embracing a fresh start at the Blues, returning to the wing role she knows well from her junior days.
Having shifted from the backline, she's now using her trademark run alongside close teammates Keeley Sherar and Brooke Vickers. The 21-year-old is thriving in the familiar position, determined to make every session count.
“My position has shifted this year – I was in the backline last year and now I’ve moved up to the wing, which has been really nice,” she said.
“That has been my position all through juniors, so it feels a bit more comfortable for me, a bit more familiar.
“It’s been really fun, it’s a different role - the wing at Carlton - to what I’ve previously played, but I’m enjoying it lots and excited for the year ahead.”
Alongside her efforts on the training track, Duursma has featured in two VFLW games — joining 12 other AFLW-listed Blues — to sharpen her skills in real-time match conditions.
Acknowledging there's nothing quite like in-game pressure, she’s relished the chance to put her new role into practice and values the support she's received from her teammates throughout the process.
“Just to get games under my belt in the VFLW, it’s such a long time between the end of last season and the start of this one, so to get a few games in and remember what it’s like under real game pressure,” she said.
“The love heart celebration: a few of the girls were sitting up on the balcony and yelling out my name, so I thought I’d give them a little heart.”
As the season opener at IKON Park draws nearer, Carlton is doubling down on their run through the corridor and using dangerous space, taking full advantage of the team’s strengths.
Duursma noted a few players - new and experienced - who have impressed her over the last few months.
“'Moods' playing last week [in the VFLW] was insane, you could just pop it up to her and she’d grab it – she’s so good and she gives you a lot of confidence when you’re out there with her,” she said.
“Poppy Scholz has come in and absolutely earned her spot, she’s been great dominating down back and Soph McKay - she can grab a mark from anywhere - so it’s been so good to see her out there and I’m really excited to see what she can do this year.”
