Tom Doedee's versatility as Adelaide's Mr Fix-It gives him the edge in the NAB AFL Rising Star award, according to his Crows teammate and fellow defender Rory Laird.

Doedee has had an outstanding season, playing 19 games and establishing himself in the Crows' backline as Jake Lever's replacement.

The 21-year-old is first among rising stars for intercepts (140), disposals (341), handballs (183) and one-percenters (96), and in the top-10 for disposals (341), kicks (158), rebound 50s (61), contested marks (13) and tackles (56).

The Crows have only had one rising star in the club's history – key defender Daniel Talia in 2012.

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"I think he should be the Rising Star because it's such an important role he plays for us and he's done it consistently for the full year," Laird told reporters on Thursday.

"He was playing the same position as Jake (Lever) and it's a hard position to play as a third tall.

"It's not just the talls he's playing on – he takes smalls, he takes big-sized midfielders that come down there and rest, he plays higher up the ground, he plays deep.

"Just as a backman in general, he's a Mr Fix-it kind of thing and the flexibility he has is unreal.

"I know we've all seen his intercept marking and his disposal, he's very clean and confident.

"He's been a standout this year for me. I know I'm biased, but he should be up there to win it."

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All Australian defender Laird – averaging 31.6 disposals per game this year – is disappointed the Crows won't feature in the finals for the first time since 2014, when they finished 10th.

"The season has been pretty frustrating," Laird said.

"The footy we've played has matched it with the best teams, it's just a matter of doing it consistently."

The Crows take on North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Sunday before finishing their season away to Carlton.