IT TOOK some time for Sam Durdin to hit his straps in 2014.The South Australian entered the season with big expectations, andtouted as a likely early pick at the NAB AFL Draft.
Abroken thumb in February disrupted his progress, and he was out ofaction for three months, returning for West Adelaide in a Foxtel Cupfixture.
It was something that played onDurdin's mind during the under-18 championships, where he was used allover the ground but struggled to reach consistent form.
Themobile tall, who can play in the ruck and as a key forward but is bestsuited to defence, resumed for West Adelaide after the carnival andbegan to play with more confidence.
Hefinished the season in better form by winning the best-afield medal forWest Adelaide in its under-18 Grand Final victory, having 48 hit-outsand taking nine marks.
Durdin'sversatility is certainly a strength. Being able to play at both ends isa skill, and even more so when he can switch readily during games.
Whenhis confidence is up, Durdin is hard to stop. At 197cm, he can fly formarks and grab them in contested situations, and then run with the balland kick it long.
Durdin's mobility has longbeen a part of his game: at times he does things that aren't easy for aguy his size, like pick the ball up at his ankles, turn and create space.
Recruiterswill need to work out how much notice they take of Durdin's 2014campaign, which started slowly because of the thumb injury and kept onan only slightly upward curve.
Despite animproved end to the season, Durdin probably had a better season lastyear as a bottom-aged player, so clubs will ask about that.
Whilehe has shown his flexibility, Durdin's best footy has probably come as aroaming, run-around-the-ground ruckman. At his height he won't playthat role at the next level.
Durdincarries similar attributes to Port Adelaide's Justin Westhoff in hisathletic, roaming and marking game. Westhoff's capacity to push up theground and make an impact all over is something Durdin has the traits tobe able to replicate.
Durdinsits somewhere between the pick five and 15 mark. His testing at lastmonth's combine was impressive for a tall – running 3.01 for the20-metre sprint and completing a 13.10 beep test..
It'sprobably best to focus not on what Durdin did this year, but what hecan do when up and going. It's hard to find players who can be used inall areas of the ground, take contested marks and run well.
