Adelaide Crows Brodie Smith and Tom Doedee say time off with ACL injuries helped them become better leaders
An ACL rupture is a huge setback. But Brodie Smith and Tom Doedee say recovering from the injury helped them develop the skills needed to earn promotion to the Crows’ leadership group.
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Brodie Smith and Tom Doedee say they used their lay-offs with anterior cruciate ligament injuries to develop their leadership credentials.
Smith, 28, and Doedee, 22, suffered ACL tears in 2017 and 2019 respectively, but spent their time on the sidelines helping younger players – Smith assisting fellow half-back Wayne Milera and Doedee mentoring the club’s SANFL defenders.
On Tuesday night, they became the newest members of the Crows’ leadership group.
Rory Sloane (skipper), Matt Crouch and Tom Lynch are also in the contingent, which does not have a vice-captain.
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Smith said he had matured in his 11 seasons at the club and was excited to be elevated.
“My year out of the game with my ACL was huge for me – I worked really hard on my leadership and what that looks like and helping others,” Smith said.
“That transitioned into last year playing and giving time to others.
“It developed from there and I’ve got to the position I’m in.”
Smith said his leadership style included trying to bring enjoyment to the group and continuing to develop his already strong relationships as a conduit between younger and older teammates.
The 167-gamer said new coach Matthew Nicks had put a big emphasis on connection and care in his first three months at the club.
“A lot of Nicksy’s philosophies are about how you can help other people and how you can others better, so that’s what I’ll try to bring to the group and hopefully do it in an enjoyable way,” Smith said.
“The way he’s come into the group, we’ve really come together and really driven this team-first environment.
“The team’s really bought into that – there’s a lot of compliments being thrown around and everyone’s making each other feel pretty good and making each other better.”
Doedee has just 21 games to his name, but his guidance of emerging trio Lachlan Sholl, Jordon Butts and Will Hamill last season has helped him earn a call-up.
“I felt really honoured, especially coming off the year I had, to still influence the group to the point they felt comfortablevoting me in,” Doedee said.
Doedee said Smith’s comeback provided inspiration for him after his own ACL injury in round one last year.
“I learnt a lot from Smithers’ rehab about how to go about it and still be a part of the team,” said Doedee, who was targeting a round-one return.
“Early days you’re sitting on the couch thinking ‘what’s to come’ in the next few months.
“(Smith was) a bit of a light to look to and realise where my next steps are and how I’m going to get playing as quick as I can.
“It brought us closer and I’m thankful for his support.”
Former skipper Taylor Walker and Daniel Talia have stepped down from the leadership group.