All the latest Adelaide Crows news ahead of Round 11

A captain in waiting has become the eleventh Crow to sign a new deal this year, while ensuring he can command a lucrative contract down the track.

Simeon Thomas-Wilson

@Simeon_TW

2 min read

May 26, 2021 - 9:39AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Matt Crouch hasn’t been sighted this season with injury. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

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Adelaide captain in waiting Tom Doedee has signed a new two-year deal with the Crows.

The Crows have announced the much anticipated contract re-signing, and 11th player to ink a new deal at the club this year.

The new deal for Doedee will keep the 24-year-old at West Lakes until at least 2023, where it is expected he can command a significant new contract when a new collective bargaining agreement will be agreed for the players.

The intercept defender has played just 40 games since being drafted in 2015 but is widely seen as the next captain of the club.

He has been the Crows stand-in skipper when Rory Sloane has been injured and Doedee said it felt like home to him.

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Tom Doedee (right) will be a Crow for another two years. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I am really excited about what we are building here at the Crows,” Doedee said.

“And a major reason why I want to be part of the Club’s future is because of the relationships I have with everyone at all levels of the footy club, and in particular the playing group.

“This current group is connected and driven to continually improve and we have seen that in some of our performances so far this season. And the brand of football we are playing is exciting and something I want to be part of.”

Adelaide list manager Justin Reid said Doedee typified what they were building at West Lakes.

“Putting others first, leading by example on and off the field and he has genuine care for the group and the drive to compete and improve,” Reid said.

Doedee is seen as the heir to Rory Sloane’s throne. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

CROWS’ HOPEFUL RETURN DATE FOR CROUCH

Adelaide remains hopeful Matt Crouch can feature in the back end of the season, despite the star midfielder being unavailable for selection until the end of July.

Crouch had groin surgery last Friday, with doctors successfully stabilising a tendon to relieve persistent pain.

The Crows said Crouch will start his rehabilitation at the club this week and they are optimistic he can return this year, despite an expectation the 26-year-old will be unavailable for 8-10 weeks.

“We’re very hopeful Matt will be available for selection later in the season,” Crows footy boss Adam Kelly said.

The Crows are hopeful Matt Crouch can return later in the season. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

“Given that surgery has just been undergone, it’s difficult to put a timeline on it, but early indication is somewhere around 10 weeks.”

Meanwhile the club said Daniel Talia’s return from a foot problem had been delayed another week because of illness, but long-term injury victims Tom Lynch (toe – 7-8 weeks) and Wayne Milera (knee – season) were on track.

“Daniel’s suggested return date hasn’t changed from last week, he had some illness which kept him away from training,” Kelly said.

“He missed some of that training load he’ll need to return to play so it remains at 3-4 weeks.

“ … Wayne Milera is progressing really well.

“We anticipate he’ll be able to advance to running on the AlterG treadmill in about four weeks with a return to running on ground in about eight weeks.”