Tom Doedee, Alex Keath lead race to replace Jake Lever in Adelaide Crows backline

NO Jake Lever, no problem. As good as the 2017 All-Australian nominee was, the Adelaide Crows believe they have the cattle to cover the key defender’s loss next season.

Crows players Tom Doedee and Alex Keath train together at Football Park. They will be both be in a race to replace Jake Lever in defence next year. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

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NO Jake Lever, no problem.

As good as the 2017 All-Australian nominee was for Adelaide — and promises to be for new club Melbourne — the Crows believe they have the cattle to cover the key defender’s loss next season.

In a credit to the club’s recruiting and succession planning, dual All-Australian defender Daniel Talia says 2015 first-round draftee Tom Doedee and former first-class cricketer Alex Keath are ready to step up to take intercept marking specialist Lever’s backline spot.

The 198cm Keath, 25, played six games this year, averaging 11 disposals and five marks while displaying good hands and poise under pressure.

Athletic former state junior basketballer Doedee, 20, has yet to make his AFL debut after being surprisingly taken at pick 17 two years ago.

But he had a standout SANFL campaign last season, finishing one vote behind now retired veteran Scott Thompson in Adelaide’s SANFL club champion award, averaging 17 disposals and ranking as the No. 1 intercept player in the competition.

He is now ready to shine on the big stage, according to Talia, who along with Kyle Hartigan is a key defensive mainstay at Crowland.

Tom Doedee finished second in the Crows SANFL club champion award and is ready to make his AFL debut. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Former cricketer Alex Keath played six AFL games in 2017. Picture: Sarah Reed

“This is his first (AFL) pre-season of getting out there and training continuously (from the start) and it’s been a credit to him because he’s really impressed and is a guy who has put his name up for that (Lever) spot,’’ Talia said of Doedee, who battled knee injuries in his first two pre-seasons at the club.

“If you watched the SANFL last season he’s a guy who almost plays like Lever because he intercepts the ball really well, he’s hard at it in the air and he can do some really special things.

“He’s also quite powerful, so he’s one of those guys who can play that third tall role.’’

Lever, who controversially quit Adelaide at age 21 to join the Demons, is the Crows’ biggest off-season loss, with Talia describing his backline intercepting role as “very important’’.

While All-Australian playmaking half-back flanker Brodie Smith will miss most of the 2018 season following a knee reconstruction, Lever leaves a hole that must be filled long term.

Veterans Andy Otten and Kyle Cheney are other key defensive options but fellow defender Jake Kelly joined Talia in nominating Doedee, 189cm, and Keath as Lever’s most obvious replacements.

“They’re going to really challenge for that Lever spot,” Kelly said, adding Doedee is “a really special player’’.

Adelaide recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie, who was forced to defend the drafting of Doedee two years ago when he was tipped to go in the third round, says he is now “ready to go’’.

Melbourne recruit Jake Lever wrestles with Dees forward Jesse Hogan at training. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

He said the Crows’ finals trial match against GWS at Football Park illustrated Doedee’s quality.

“That was an AFL-style game, a ripping game, and Tommy was brilliant,’’ Ogilvie said.

As for Smith’s short-term replacement, Talia wants boom recruit Bryce Gibbs, who spent most of his 11-year Carlton career in the midfield, to slot onto a half-back flank.

“His skills are phenomenal so I’d love to have him at half-back helping us out through there,’’ he said.

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