Thursday night’s inaugural AFLX tournament may not have been considered significant to some, but it marked a milestone moment in the career of promising defender Tom Doedee.

The 20-year-old, selected with pick No. 17 in the 2015 National Draft, registered his maiden appearance at senior level for the Crows following two consecutive interrupted pre-seasons.

Speaking to AFC Media following the Club’s eight-point AFLX Grand Final win over Geelong, Doedee said it was a great feeling to pull on the tri-colours in a competitive setting. 

“The only times I’ve put it on (the AFL guernsey) are photo days, so it’s actually good to put it on and play in it,” he said.

“A good bunch of boys to play with (tonight). A couple of the boys I’ve played SANFL with all of last year and the year before, so it was good to put it on with them.”


Tom Doedee in AFLX action against Collingwood

Doedee battled knee injuries in his two previous summers at the Club, failing to play a pre-season game in 2017 due to knee soreness.

Pleasingly, those niggles have not been present this campaign, with the athletic backman completing the entirety of the program thus far.

“Pre-season’s been good. Haven’t missed a session, knee’s holding up fine, no other niggles that I’m worried about,” Doedee said. 

“It’s been good just to be able to get some continuity, stay on the track and be able to get better. The continuity’s helped me become a better player compared to last year where I was in and out. 

“I just couldn’t get any flow and couldn’t get in the big drills and play match sim and stuff like that. So, this year being able to do everything, every bit of match sim, has helped me improve.”

Ranked the No. 1 intercept player in the SANFL last year, Doedee looked composed floating across half-back throughout the AFLX tournament and efficient with ball in hand. 

He had a game-high three intercept possessions in the Crows’ opening AFLX game and went at 100% kicking efficiency in the Grand Final, which included a 10-point Zooper goal. 

While satisfied with his own performance, Doedee was happier with how Adelaide’s team performed as a collective to register three wins on the night.

“I was happy with how I played and happy with how we all played in general,” he said.

“It’s a good feeling to win. You always want to win when you go out and cross that white line.

“As much as it was a bit of fun, it was AFLX, it was brand new, it was good to get the win and three in a row and winning the championship is good.”

The defender's focus now shifts to pressing his claims for a Round One AFL berth in the upcoming JLT Community Series, which kicks off for the Crows on Sunday 25 February in Strathalbyn.