Adelaide defender Tom Doedee’s Rising Star hopes fading after Round 18 concussion

ADELAIDE defender Tom Doedee’s Rising Star hopes could be ruined by the head knock he copped against Brisbane last week which is likely to sideline him this weekend.

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ADELAIDE defender Tom Doedee’s Rising Star hopes could be ruined by the head knock he copped against Brisbane last week.

Locked in a super-tight battle for the AFL’s best young player award with Collingwood’s Jaidyn Stephenson and Brisbane’s Alex Witherden and with Sydney's Ben Ronke, Lion Cam Rayner and Western Bulldog Ed Richards breathing down their neck, Doedee’s hopes have been damaged after he was floored in a bad tackle by Daniel McStay.

He was helped from the field in the third quarter and is in serious doubt for Adelaide’s Saturday night blockbuster against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.

Doedee, 21, has been suffering from the effects of concussion and did not take part in the Crows’ main training session on Wednesday, instead walking laps while his teammates sweated it out on the track.

In such a tight Rising Star race, missing a game after failing to complete the round 18 win against Brisbane could prove costly.

While Doedee appears unlikely to face the Demons, teammate Lachlan Murphy — who also was concussed against the Lions — seems likely to be available.

He trained with the main group and is said to have recovered better than Doedee, despite Lion

Adelaide’s Tom Doedee tries to slow down Geelong’s Wylie Buzza. Picture: Sarah Reed

Tom Cutler copping a two-match suspension for the blow that felled him.

Wingman Rory Atkins was restricted to light duties at training while key defender Daniel Talia is expected to play against Melbourne despite admitting he is battling through soreness with a small crack in his fibula.

Adelaide’s Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane train on Wednesday. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

Ace midfielder Rory Sloane trained on Wednesday and is expected to be available despite having his foot stepped on against Brisbane but tall backman Kyle Hartigan will miss two more weeks with knee soreness.

Veterans Richard Douglas (ankle) and David Mackay (ribs) are at least another week away but midfielder Sam Gibson will be available for selection after being a late withdrawal from the SANFL on Saturday through illness.

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