Xavier Duursma will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after sustaining a high-grade hamstring injury against GWS on Sunday.

The 26-year-old went down in the last quarter of Sunday’s win and was ruled out for the final minutes - follow-up scans on Monday morning confirmed the full extent of the injury. The hamstring injury includes some tendon involvement, putting an early end to Duursma’s 2026 campaign. 

Essendon’s GM - AFL Daniel McPherson echoed the disappointment for Duursma. 

“It’s obviously a disappointing blow for ‘Duurs’ having played every game of the season up to this point," McPherson said. 

“With so few games left, a return to play this season is unfortunately out of reach for Duurs, so he'll turn his attention to his rehab and will support the rest of the playing group through the last five games of the year."