Adelaide says fans won’t be disappointed in shock draft selection Tom Doedee
ADELAIDE has implored its fans to hold their fire on shock draft pick Tom Doedee, telling them to “trust us and come along for the ride because you will enjoy it’’.
ADELAIDE has implored its fans to hold their fire on shock draft pick Tom Doedee, telling them to “trust us and come along for the ride because you will enjoy it’’.
The Crows’ selection of the 18-year-old Geelong Falcons half-back at No. 17 was one of the stunners of Tuesday night’s national draft, with most clubs not rating him among the best 40 players on offer.
But Adelaide’s national recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie said the club had closely tracked former basketballer Doedee for two years and “doesn’t care what anyone else thinks’’.
Doedee’s selection so high in the draft and ahead of local prospect Ryan Burton, who joined Hawthorn at pick 19, evoked memories of the Crows’ controversial pick of gun midfielder Patrick Dangerfield in 2007.
Adelaide selected Dangerfield at No. 10, overlooking popular South Australian Brad Ebert, who went to West Coast at No. 13.
Dangerfield, who last month moved to Geelong, had been tipped to go in the twenties but turned out to be the best player in the draft.
Ogilvie is not promising another Dangerfield but he is angered by early criticism of the Doedee selection and doesn’t want him to have to carry an unfair burden.
“We know him well and we’re really pleased to get him because we rate him really highly,’’ said Ogilvie, who took ace Central District forward/midfielder Wayne Milera with Adelaide’s first pick at No. 11.
“It’s not his fault (that he was drafted so early) and people shouldn’t be angry just because they don’t know who he is.
“We know who he is because we’ve tracked him closely so I say just trust us and come along for the ride because you will enjoy it.’’
Ogilvie described the 187cm Doedee as “an outstanding kid with great character who is disciplined, professional, well organised and intelligent’’.
“He’s got a lot of qualities that we really value,’’ he said.
Doedee did not play TAC Cup football last year because he focused on his basketball career — he is a Victorian State junior basketballer — in the hope of earning a US scholarship.
But he returned to play for the Falcons this year and enjoyed a solid if unspectacular year.
Falcons talent manager Mick Turner said Adelaide has secured the best one-on-one defender in this year’s TAC Cup.
“His performances for Vic Country and Geelong Falcons in his one year in the system were compelling,’’ Ogilvie said.
“His (disposal) numbers can look a little bit low at times but that’s because he was always forced to play on the best forwards, whether they were tall or medium, which meant he ended up back in the goalsquare a fair bit.
“That hampered his offensive output but that’s Tom, he’s all about doing what is required to help the team.
“We are very confident he’s got the athletic attributes and mentality to develop into a high-quality versatile running player who eventually might be able to push up into the midfield.
“People will enjoy watching him play.’’