Debut caps off Carlton recruit’s big week

Yasmin Duursma will go from the Brownlow Medal red carpet to a Carlton AFLW debut in only 48 hours after a pair of injuries forced the Blues to reshuffle their backline.

The 20-year-old halfback, who played 11 games in two seasons at Port Adelaide, was named to face North Melbourne at Ikon Park on Wednesday night after the Blues lost captain Kerryn Peterson to a shoulder injury and Dayna Finn to an ankle complaint.

With Peterson ruled out for up to five games, Duursma was presented with a big opportunity to cement a spot in the Blues’ side only two days after accompanying partner Harley Reid to the Brownlow Medal.

Duursma joined Reid at the West Coast table as the 19-year-old star won goal of the year for his stunning centre-bounce finish against Melbourne and polled the equal second-most votes for the Eagles in his maiden Brownlow count.

The sister of Essendon winger Xavier Duursma and North Melbourne forward Zane told Channel 7 on Monday that she was thrilled to get a chance at senior level after an injury-interrupted pre-season had left her back in the pecking order.

“I’ve had a lot of setbacks throughout the pre-season, so it’s exciting to be playing this week and making my debut for Carlton,” she said.

League not concerned by low AFLW midweek crowds

The Carlton-North Melbourne clash will be the fourth midweek game to have been held under lights at Ikon Park in the last 12 days.

Only 1493 were in the stands on Tuesday night to watch Richmond beat Port Adelaide, while last Thursday’s clash between an in-form Blues and Tigers also failed to crack 2000.

AFL football boss Laura Kane insisted the scheduling of midweek clashes in the condensed fixture had so far been a success despite the below-average crowds.

“The compression has been really interesting … I have personally loved watching football every single night, it feels like,” Kane said on Wednesday.

“The AFLW is (on) 27 of 32 nights … I love the Tuesday night tuning in on the couch or going out to the games if they are local to me.

“I think there’s a movement in women’s sport that everyone’s excited about, and that’s something we’ll continue to work on, push, and get more eyeballs. I love AFLW and I know it will continue to grow.”