Fierce reaction to Crows defender Tom Doedee’s move to Brisbane

Adelaide’s compensation for allowing defender Tom Doedee to leave for the Lions has been savaged.

Tom Doedee is officially on his way to the Lions. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Defender Tom Doedee is on his way from Adelaide to the Lions, with the Crows’ compensation drawing outrage around the country.

Doedee, 26, has played 82 games since being drafted by the Crows back in 2015.

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He is currently recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament suffered in round 12 last season, the second ACL tear of his career.

Adelaide was handed a compensation pick of a late first-round draft choice, which will be pick No. 19, and that does not sit well with a huge number of AFL observers.

Tom Doedee is officially on his way to the Lions. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Crows could have matched the Lions’ offer, believed to be a five-year deal, but opted to let him walk.

In what’s expected to be a wild trade period, clubs are quickly getting their houses in order, with the Swans culling six players from their roster on Monday.

The trading period is officially underway and runs from October 9-18.

Taylor Adams and Brodie Grundy are expected to join the Swans, although the deals are not yet done, while the Bombers have reportedly lodged a hefty six-year deal for Kangaroos defender Ben McKay.

Many feel the current system actually encourages clubs to let players leave, resulting in draft picks and salary cap space, rather than fighting to retain them.

Draft picks in the first round are prized possessions in the AFL and it supposedly took less than 30 minutes for the Crows to confirm they would not match Brisbane’s offer for Doedee.

It was also pointed out by some that Hawthorn only received pick 19 for Buddy Franklin when he was signed by the Swans back in 2013, which the Hawks fought at the time.

Doedee after injuring his knee against Suns in round 12 last season. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

There are question marks over Doedee’s fitness as he has missed significant time with knee and hamstring injuries, but the Lions appear thrilled with the addition to their backline.

Brisbane recruiting boss Dom Ambrogio told the AFL’s official Trade Radio show that Doedee’s injury history and current recovery was a factor, but the club decided he was worth the risk.

“It was a consideration but we really back in the fact that we’ve got a fantastic medical and high performance team,” Ambrogio said.

“We’re really proud of them and the work they’ve done over the years.

Is this the AFL’s way of saying sorry for that goal umpiring screw up?

A round 1 pick is taking the piss even if it is at the end

— Keyser (@Keyser1617) October 9, 2023

This is outrageous. I like it but wow

— bazz (@bazz_27) October 9, 2023

Isn’t the compensation for losing a ‘free’ agent the salary cap space which teams can use to target/keep someone else? Under the current system of a draft pick + cap space, clubs are actually much better off letting players walk.

— Moreira’s Magic (@MoreirasMagic) October 9, 2023

Time for free agency compensation to go. This is getting ridiculous. Teams want players to leave to get the compo.

— Nic Negrepontis (@NicNegrepontis) October 9, 2023

If Doedee gets the Crows end of first round it confirms the free agency system is broken

End of second for Flynn/Jordon was overs too https://t.co/1E9Hlcsbd3

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) October 9, 2023

Just a reminder - Hawthorn got pick 19 for losing Lance Franklin. Tom Doedee is no Lance Franklin... https://t.co/iIVOCoxu0i

— Anthony Leach (@ahleach) October 9, 2023

“We think that they can help Tom get right. Tom’s an absolute professional and he’s got a track record of rehabbing from injuries really well.”

Doedee publicly expressed his desire to stay at Adelaide back in August, but added the serious knee injury he suffered in June had thrown a spanner in the contractual works – and the Adelaide offer in front of him was short of what he’s after.

“Tom is a quality person who has brought a lot to our playing group and the club and we’d like to thank him for his contribution,” Crows list boss Justin Reid said.

“We understand the nature of free agency in the industry and would like to wish Tom and his partner Emily all the best for the future.”

- with Fox Sports