Brisbane Lions defender Tom Doedee suffers ACL tear on cusp of AFL return

Days before his likely AFL return from an ACL, Brisbane Lions defender Tom Doedee has suffered a cruel blow after going down with another knee injury.

New recruit Tom Doedee at training in front of Lions fans at Brighton Home Arena on Sunday. Picture Lachie Millard

Unlucky Brisbane Lions recruit Tom Doedee will not make his return from a knee injury against Collingwood after copping a “heartbreaking” tear in his repaired knee at training on Tuesday.

Doedee was in the mix to play his first AFL game since round 12, when he ruptured his right ACL while playing for Adelaide, when he re-injured the knee.

The aggravation came in the final minutes of the training session and the Lions confirmed it was a partial tear to his ACL.

“He’s off to Adelaide today to go see the surgeon,” Lions co-captain Harris Andrews told Triple M.

“It’s only a partial tear… absolutely devastating.

“He’s done really well to get back and you know, although we haven’t actually played with him yet, we’re really missing him and wish him the best.”

The Lions and Doedee will meet with a surgeon later this week and are yet to find out how long he will be sidelined.

The rupture last year was the second time he had suffered the injury, having ruptured his left ACL in 2019.

Doedee, 27, played in the VFL on the weekend and spoke to the media this week, confirming he felt ready to play at the top level.

Tom Doedee has suffered an ACL tear. Picture: Lachie Millard

Doedee on the bench after injuring his knee last year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I’ve got through that first game, which is always the biggest anxiety-inducing game because you’ve just been out for so long,” he said.

“I’m hoping to be back playing properly for the rest of the season, but there are still a few little things to sort out to make sure I’m back to 100 per cent.

“You don’t want to come back before you’re ready and waste 10 months of work.”

Lions footy boss Danny Daly said the injury was “cruel”.

Bloody cruel luck for Tom Doedee. Ready to make his AFL return one day; a partial tear of his ACL in an innocuous training drill the next. So sad after all the work he has put in to return.

— Glenn McFarlane (@MaccaHeraldSun) March 26, 2024

“It’s incredibly heartbreaking for Tom, and everyone at the club are really feeling for him,” he said.

“Sport can produce some of the most amazing moments, but in cases like this it can also be extremely cruel.

“Tom is a fantastic person who has already become a highly popular member of our Club, and everyone was excited to see him so close to making his comeback.

“He has shown he is the ultimate professional by doing everything he could to recover from his ACL, which we have all admired, and I have no doubt he will treat this injury the same.

“Everyone at the Brisbane Lions will continue to give our full support to Tom and his family.”

The Lions will be able to call on experienced defender Darcy Gardiner for Thursday’s crucial Magpies clash after he was cleared of any damage to his knee, while Jack Payne is fit and played in the VFL last weekend.