Brandon Zerk-Thatcher Biography

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher says it was the pull of family that brought him to Port Adelaide.

"Deep down I've been missing my family over that six years and ultimately I wanted to get back and reconnect with my little brother, and my mum was missing me and I was missing her, so when the opportunity came about I really had to think about it," he said.

"What I really wanted was to go back home and make sure I could dive deep into the relationships with my family."

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has landed at Port Adelaide and Xavier Duursma has joined Essendon in a trade between the two clubs.

"I'm very excited to join the Bombers, it's been a stressful period of time but cannot wait to get started," Duursma said.

"My best football is ahead of me, and I can't wait to be pulling on the red and black, and running out in front of all the amazing Bomber fans."

The deal went down to the wire on the final day of the 2023 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period, with Zerk-Thatcher, pick No.73 and two future fourth-round picks headed to the Power in exchange for the 23-year-old Duursma.

"We identified a need for tall defenders in our backline and we are excited to bring Brandon to the club because he fills that need,” said Port list manager Jason Cripps said of Zerk-Thatcher.

"He is athletic for his size and has developed a consistency to his game over the last 12 months."

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher requests a trade from Essendon to play for Port Adelaide in his home state of South Australia.

The out-of-contract backman has had a three-year offer in front of him from the Bombers for some time and has been weighing his decision on his future.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will be suspended from the club's round two clash with Sydney, having self-reported a breach of strict COVID-19 safety protocols related to his living arrangements, but has since undergone two separate COVID-19 tests and produced negative results on each.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher makes his AFL debut for Essendon at Perth Stadium with 11 disposals (10 kicks and a handball), 6 marks and 3 tackles in a 32-point win over Fremantle.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher signs a new two-year contract extension with Essendon to remain at the club until the end of 2021.

"Brandon is a courageous key defender that enjoyed a solid debut year in the VFL competition under the guidance of (coach) Dan Jordan," Bombers list manager Adrian Dodoro said.

"He is terrific young man that has fitted in strongly among the playing group and our club culture.

"We are confident that Brandon will develop into a long-term key defender for the club and we look forward to seeing what he can achieve over the next three years as he builds towards a senior debut."