ZANE Duursma officially became a Demon last week, but his journey with the Dees actually started in 2023.

At just 18, during his draft year, Duursma joined Melbourne for a week of training with the AFL side. It was the start of his

“It was fantastic, we spent the whole week here,” Duursma said.

“Firstly, to get that first taste of what the AFL is like, but also of what Melbourne is as a footy club, was really good.

“It was only a couple of years after a premiership, so the list was really strong, and it still is now.

"[The experience] was just something to behold as a young 18-year-old.”

His short time at the club in 2023 kickstarted his interest in the red and blue, and three years later, Duursma landed back at the Dees via the 2026 AFL Trade Period.

“I was very happy and relieved,” Duursma said.

“The way that [Melbourne] play footy and the new brand of putting speed on the footy, it was something that really jumped out at me.

“Steven King's coaching style is something that also jumped out when I had a really good meeting with him prior to the trade period.

“That’s definitely what I took out of 2026 watching Melbourne and it was as inviting to me as anything.”

04:53

Zane Duursma's First Day In The Red & Blue

We sat down with our newest Demon, Zane Duursma.

The 21-year-old reunites with Koltyn Tholstrup and Caleb Windsor as the club’s 2023 draft class, a duo he's excited to reconnect with. 

"I'd love to play with the guys that are my age, Koltyn and Caleb, who also went in my draft, I’ll be really excited to play with those boys," Duursma said. 

“I also think the massive names of Kysaiah Pickett and Max Gawn are probably my two players that I’d really love to play with."

Duursma arrives at the club with three seasons of AFL under his belt, having played 38 senior games at North Melbourne.

The dynamic forward sees his best footy still ahead of him and reflected on those early years of development in the AFL system.  

“Everything that happens in the AFL is through hard work, and it’s something that I think I lacked earlier in my career,” Duursma said.

“I've become better at it this year, I had a way better pre-season and all I can do is really build off that and hopefully cement a spot in the 2027 Melbourne team.”