Duursma: Bombers still ‘figuring out’ inconsistency

Xavier Duursma has admitted Essendon is still “trying to figure out” the reasons for its week-to-week inconsistency as the club strengthens its finals candidacy after a winning start to the year.

The first-year Bombers wingman has also spoken of “loving” his Hangar experience so far, especially crediting a pair of coaches in easing his transition from Port Adelaide in the off-season.

The Bombers trumped the Western Bulldogs on Friday to improve to 3-2 on the season, rebounding from a listless Gather Round outing against Duursma’s former side. While its round 5 win, underpinned by a stirring second-half display, has it equal on wins with seventh-placed Fremantle, familiar issues continue to rear their heads despite the Dons’ heady stoppage game.

“We got into a bit of a stoppage battle (on Friday); I think we won that pretty well, and then our defence held up really well in the second half,” Duursma told foxfooty.com.au after the game. However, while their work at the coalface has been one of their biggest drivers, the Bombers’ offensive and defensive transition remain weak links. “It’s a bit of a challenge that we’re trying to figure out ourselves,” Duursma said. “I’m not sure if I quite have the answer to it. I don’t know entirely myself.”