Duckworth appeared 35 times for the Cardinals (as they were known up to 1982) before being recruited by Essendon. He played as an aggressive defender, often seen at the fullback position. His heroics in the 1984 Grand Final win over Hawthorn earned him best on ground recognition and he won another premiership with the Bombers the following season. Duckworth retired in 1990 and returned to West Perth.
South Australia 18.16 (124) defeated Western Australia 9.9 (63), at WACA, 16 June 1987
Victoria 16.20 (116) defeated Western Australia 13.14 (92), at Subiaco Oval, 22 July 1987