Statistics illustrate Adelaide Crows defender Tom Doedee is better than the man he replaced Jake Lever

ADELAIDE Crows defensive revelation Tom Doedee has had a better start to his AFL career than the man he replaced in the Crows backline — one-time linchpin Jake Lever.

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DANIEL Talia said it and so do the statistics.

Adelaide Crows defensive revelation Tom Doedee has had a better start to his AFL career than the man he replaced in the Crows backline — one-time linchpin Jake Lever.

After waiting two years to play his first AFL game, athletic machine Doedee has illustrated why Adelaide’s highly-rated national recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie pulled a rabbit out of the hat by selecting the former basketballer at pick 17 in 2015 — about 20 spots higher than most recruiters had him tabbed for.

It is only a small sample size, but the 21-year-old’s statistical numbers five games into his AFL career paint an exciting picture of just how good the intercept king could be.

One of Adelaide’s early-season surprise packets, Doedee ranks higher than Lever — who controversially walked out on the Crows to join Melbourne on a big-money deal at the end of last season after playing 56 games in three seasons — after the first five matches of their careers.

Doedee — the last of the top 28 players drafted in 2015 to make his AFL debut when he was picked against Essendon in round one this season — is ranked as elite or above average in five key statistical categories for a general defender this year.

The round two AFL Rising Star nominee is averaging 19.8 disposals at 83 per cent kicking efficiency, 7.8 intercept possessions, 2.8 intercept marks and 4.4 spoils.

In contrast, in Lever’s first five games for the Crows in 2015 he averaged 16 disposals at 71 per cent kicking efficiency, 5.2 intercept possessions, 2 intercept marks and 3.4 spoils.

Saints Jack Billings is tackled by Crows Tom Doedee in round three at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Adam Trafford/Getty Images

Asked on radio whether the 188cm Doedee could be better than Lever, Talia — Adelaide’s best key defender — said “yeah., I think so’’.

“I think Tom has been great these first four or five weeks and has fitted in and I think he’s done better than Lever,” Talia said.

“He’s affecting everything back there, fitting in the role and really dominating. We’re not feeling the loss of Jake at the moment.

“Tom has put his hand up and played some awesome footy in the first five weeks so it’s been a credit to him. I thought he could have played last year in any other side.”

After starring in the grand final rematch against Richmond in round two with 25 disposals and six marks, Doedee had another 25 touches and hauled in career-high 11 marks in the stunning upset win against Sydney at the SCG last Friday.

Crows teammate and former Magpie Paul Seedsman, who has enjoyed the best start to his eight-year career after overcoming career-threatening groin injuries last season, said he has not been surprised by Doedee’s seemingly rapid rise from SANFL player to AFL mainstay.

I’m not surprised because I spent a fair bit of time in the SANFL with him last year and I saw do what he's doing now at SANFL level,’’ Seedsman said.

“Obviously he needed to take the step up and do it at AFL level but that’s what he’s done.

“He’s an incredible talent and the way he reads the ball is a real weapon for us.’’

TERRIFIC TOM

In his first season of AFL football, Crow Tom Doedee ranks as elite or above average for a general defender in five key statistical categories.

Ave Rating

Disposals 19.8 Above Ave

Kicking Efficiency 83% Above Ave

Intercept Possessions 7.8 Elite

Intercept Marks 2.8 Elite

Spoils 4.4 Above Ave

Tom Doedee ranks higher than Jake Lever in all five categories after five games.

Doedee Lever

Disposals 19.8 16.0

Kicking Efficiency 83% 71%

Intercept Possessions 7.8 5.2

Intercept Marks 2.8 2.0

Spoils 4.4 3.4

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