FOOTBALL – AFL EXPORTS – TOM HAYES
DURING the AFL’s off-season, players can get up to all sorts of things from getting ready for the next season, proving themselves or simply using their well-earnt break.
That is exactly what our local exports have been up to, as we delve into their lives ahead of season 2024.
It’s been a busy year for each of the exports in the AFL, and following the completion of the 2023 season, we added two more players to those ranks via the draft.
Tim Membrey – St Kilda Saints
LIKE many players this year, it was a tough one for Traralgon’s Membrey.
The Traralgon export didn’t have the most consistent of seasons, in fact, his season didn’t start until Round 6 in a win over Carlton.
Membrey played four games before he was a late exclusion from the Saints side for their game against GWS Giants.
His troublesome knee continued to cause him grief, keeping him out for multiple months, until Round 22 against Richmond.
He finished the home-and-away season at the Saints, clinching a finals spot, drawing the Giants in the elimination final.
Once again, Membrey withdrew from the game as a late out, which was later revealed to be because of poor mental health.
In a shock to players and fans, Membrey was given the full support of the club, allowing him to take leave.
But he wouldn’t be gone forever, as the vice captain return to pre-season training early in December, which comes as a huge boost for the Saints.
Membrey will hope to bring some consistency back to his game in 2024 to get back to his best, which is the damaging key forward he is.
Changkuoth Jiath – Hawthorn Hawks
MORWELL’S Changkuoth Jiath was another player who had a disrupted 2023 season, struggling with a string of leg injuries.
Jiath began the season strong, playing in the first seven games of the season before missing out in Round 8.
He returned to the best 23 for Round 9 before going down with an injury, which was then described as calf and achilles issues when it was announced he wouldn’t return for the 2023 season.
Due to the injuries, Jiath is heading to Qatar to get back on the mend and prepare for the 2024 season.
Jiath will be joined by the Hawks’ head physio, Andrew Lambert, who will help with through the process.
He will spend five days at Aspetar Orthapaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha, before returning to Waverly Park to continue pre season training.
Xavier Duursma – Essendon Bombers
SOME had more exciting off seasons, much like the Duursma clan, who had first-born Xavier return to Victoria in a trade to Essendon Bombers.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, as the trade went down to the wire, which saw Essendon’s Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, pick 73 and two future fourth-round picks head to Port Adelaide in exchange for Duursma.
Now in preparation for the 2024 season, Duursma is expected to hit the ground running with the Dons, back in his home state.
He will don the number 28 guernsey, one that has only seen two players play over 100 games in it; Jack Garden (116 games) and Alex Epis (180).
Excitingly for the Duursma’s added another son to the AFL ranks, joining Xavier in Victoria.
Zane Duursma – North Melbourne Kangaroos
ZANE, also from Foster, became the second Duursma to join an AFL list, and the third Duursma to be welcomed to the system (sister Yasmin Duursma plays AFLW).
Duursma was picked up by North Melbourne with Pick 4 in the most recent 2023 AFL Draft.
He is expected to hit the ground running at the Roos, who are rebuilding and using a plethora of youth in their ranks.
Duursma can be used all over the ground but shone as a forward and midfielder in his draft year for Gippsland Power and Victoria Country.
He was handed the number seven guernsey at the Roos, one previously worn by former captain Jack Ziebell and current West Coast coach Adam Simpson.
Sister Yasmin also returned to Victoria, earning a trade from Port Adelaide’s AFLW side, joining Carlton Blues in the trade period.
Tew Jiath – Collingwood Magpies
MORWELL’S Jiath completes another set of brothers in the AFL, joining brother Changkuoth in the AFL system.
Jiath was picked up by reigning premiers Collingwood in the 2023 AFL Draft with Pick 37.
He was much of a draft bolter, rising the ranks after only playing the second half of the season with Gippsland Power.
Jiath will don the number 19 at the Pies, which has previously been worn by 200-gamer and current executive GM – Graham Wright.
Fortunately for Jiath, the Magpies took part in a community camp in a familiar region to him – the Latrobe Valley.
The Magpies toured the region, running community camps, holding signing sessions and training in the region.
Jiath was an instant favourite with local Collingwood faithful, as he hopes to do them proud when he is given the chance to put the guernsey on.
Bailey Humphrey – Gold Coast Suns
HUMPHREY earnt his debut in Round 4 against the Saints and only got better since, playing 19 games in his debut season in one of the trickiest roles on the field.
The Moe product played predominantly across the half forward flank, kicking 11 goals for the season.
He even managed some midfield minutes when regulars were absent, collecting a career-high 26 disposals in a Round 10 loss to Brisbane Lions.
Humphrey appeared to do enough to keep his spot in the best 23, and also displayed his versatility in multiple roles.
He will hope to have gained the trust in the new coaching staff that he can play his role, and will jump at the opportunity to work with triple premiership coach Damien Hardwick.
Sam Flanders – Gold Coast Suns
FLANDERS is one of those players that makes you say “where was he all year?”
Not because he didn’t do anything, but for the fact that he only came back into the senior squad in Round 15 for consistent football after a patchy start to the season.
Once returning to the season side, Flanders did not have a single game where he collected under 20 disposals, averaging 28.9 disposals in the final 10 games of the year.
He is expected to be a big part of Damien Hardwick’s plans, especially after announcing a four-year extension through to the end of the 2027 season.
Adding himself to the Suns’ midfield stocks, Gold Coast could have one of their best chances to play finals football in 2024.
Ben Ainsworth – Gold Coast Suns
COMPLETING the trio on the Gold Coast, Morwell’s Ben Ainsworth had one of his best AFL seasons to date in 2023.
He collected 371 disposals – a career-best, and 21 goals – his second-best record throughout his seven-year career.
Another forward, he would often find himself as the provider of goals, but also chipped in when the Suns called upon.
Like the other two, Ainsworth could become an even more integral part of the Suns lineup and will now be one of the most experienced on the list, after reaching 100 games during the 2023 season.
Keep an eye on these three as the Suns hope to continue to climb the AFL ladder in 2024.
