Coming off a wooden spoon in Andrew McQualter's first season as coach, the Eagles are attempting to fast-track their rebuild with a strong crop of recruits.
They have three first-round selections - initially at positions one, two and 13 before academy and father-son bids - as well as picks 34 and 41.
Duursma is West Coast's second No.1 pick in three years, following in the footsteps of Harley Reid, who presented the 18-year-old with his first Eagles jumper.
"It's very special. You work so hard over the years and it's finally a dream come true, so I'm pretty happy," Duursma told Fox Footy.
Duursma is the younger brother of established AFL players Xavier (Essendon) and Zane (North Melbourne), and AFLW player Yasmin (Port Adelaide).
A silky 193cm prospect with elite foot skills who can play across all three lines, Duursma is set to add class and versatility to a developing West Coast side.
Importantly, the teenager does not appear concerned about the move west to the other side of the country, quipping "hopefully I can get a tan if I move over there" in a pre-draft interview.
Duursma is the fourth player taken by West Coast with the No.1 pick at a national draft and just the second this century, after Reid in 2023.
The Eagles previously picked Drew Banfield (1992) and Michael Gardiner (1996) with the top selection.
West Coast also had bids for Gold Coast academy product Zeke Uwland and Carlton father-son prospect Harry Dean matched by those clubs.
The Eagles eventually used their second selection on Calder Cannons ruckman Cooper Duff-Tytler at No.4.
It was the pick West Coast secured as compensation for losing co-captain Oscar Allen to the Brisbane Lions through free agency.
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