Latest news with #TomDoedee
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Lions coach Chris Fagan isn't expecting heroics from Tom Doedee in his first AFL appearance for Brisbane
Lions coach Chris Fagan is reluctant to 'add to the noise' surrounding Tom Doedee's long-awaited first top-flight appearance for Brisbane almost two full seasons after joining the club from Adelaide. The former Crows defender will replace the injured Ryan Lester (concussion) in Brisbane's backline in Saturday's clash against Sydney at the Gabba. It was a Lions AFL debut that was supposed to come a lot earlier for Doedee, who just days before he was set to play for Brisbane against Collingwood in March last year after recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 2023 playing for Adelaide sustained the same injury at training. Fagan praised the resilience of Doedee, who had to overcome the physical and mental tolls of back-to-back ACL injuries before believing he was again ready for AFL football. Trying to win a place in Brisbane's premiership-winning team also hasn't been easy, but Doedee's solid form in a run of VFL games has convinced Fagan that he's ready for an AFL return. We're excited to announce that Tom will be making his club debut this Saturday! 🎉 — Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) August 7, 2025 'We recruited him to our club, he was about to play his first game last year, and he did his knee again at training the week before, so it's a good story of persistence, and I'm sure he'll make the most of that opportunity,' Fagan said. 'He feels like he's ready. It's probably a good time to give him opportunity.' Fagan isn't expecting miracles from Doedee and just wants the 28-year-old Geelong Falcons product to 'do his job'. 'He hasn't played (in the AFL) since the middle of 2023, so it's a long time between drinks,' the Lions coach said. 'I won't say too much to him, just encourage him. I don't want to add to the noise. 'He's a professional. He's been around a long time. He's just got to do his job. 'When you speak to players that are in that position, it's just go out and play your role. You don't have to be anything remarkable, just be reliable and do what you've got to do.' While Lester is expected to return for Brisbane's away clash with Fremantle next Friday night, the Lions aren't expected to bring back co-captain Lachie Neale from a quad injury he suffered in last Saturday's win over Collingwood until the first week of the finals series next month. 'It's one of those injuries that, if you saw him run (at training on Thursday), you'd think 'why isn't he playing'?' Fagan said of the two-time Brownlow medallist. 'It's probably the threat that if he does something more to it, it'll be a lot worse, so we've got to nip it in the bud now, and he should be OK in three weeks' time. 'He'll be able to train quite hard over the next few weeks, and it might even freshen him up. 'You lose players during the season, and we've got a really strong midfield, so we expect other boys who have already stepped up all year will just continue to do that. 'We'd rather have Lachie in our team than not, but it's not the end of the world.' Collingwood's loss to Hawthorn on Thursday has increased Brisbane's hopes of finishing in the top two, but Fagan said he wasn't thinking about the ladder. 'You make one mistake and you're in strife,' he said. 'It's not worth spending emotional energy on looking at the ladder and trying to predict what might happen. It's just about here and now and do your best to get it done.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Doedee in for Lions, Dockers veteran Fyfe returns
Tom Doedee will make his long-awaited Brisbane Lions debut in the crucial AFL clash with Sydney as finals hopefuls Fremantle welcome back Nat Fyfe against Port Adelaide. A door opened for unlucky defender Doedee when fellow Lions backman Ryan Lester (concussion) was ruled out of Saturday's Gabba contest with the Swans. The 28-year-old, a high-profile recruit from Adelaide in late 2023, has overcome two knee reconstructions and will play his first AFL game in more than two years. We're excited to announce that Tom will be making his club debut this Saturday! 🎉 — Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) August 7, 2025 Will McLachlan returns for Brisbane, who have lost star ball-winner Lachie Neale (quad), while key forward Hayden McLean is back from concussion for Sydney. Fyfe returns from his latest injury setback at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, having dominated at WAFL level last week. The Dockers are also bolstered by the inclusion of skipper Alex Pearce after losing gun midfielder Hayden Young (adductor). Out of the finals race, Port have regained Jack Lukosius, Willie Rioli and captain Connor Rozee after they were belted by Geelong last week. Gold Coast, chasing their first finals appearance, have recalled Malcolm Rosas in place of the injured Sam Flanders for their important date with Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. The Blues surprisingly dropped ruckman Marc Pittonet, leaving Tom De Koning to do battle with Suns big man Jarrod Witts. St Kilda named Mattaes Phillipou for their dead-rubber against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday, after the exciting youngster impressed on his return from a plantaris injury in the VFL last week. Darcy Wilson and Liam Henry have also been recalled for the Saints, while the Tigers have been bolstered by the return of experienced trio Tom Lynch, Nathan Broad and Tim Taranto. On Sunday, GWS will line up against North Melbourne at Engie Stadium without spearhead Jesse Hogan, who has been managed after his foot issue flared up. Giants captain Toby Greene returns from a one-match suspension, while the Kangaroos have regained ruckman Tristan Xerri after his three-match ban. Adelaide have managed veteran forward Taylor Walker out of their clash with lowly West Coast at Optus Stadium.
News.com.au
05-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tom Doedee in contention to make long-awaited maiden top-flight appearance for Brisbane
Lions co-captain Harris Andrews has hailed the 'resilience' of former Adelaide defender Tom Doedee, who is close to his first AFL appearance for Brisbane since joining the club almost two years ago. Doedee signed a four-year deal with the Lions in October 2023, and there were high hopes he would become a key member of Brisbane's backline despite him still recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at the time. However, just days before what was expected to be his first top-flight appearance for Brisbane in March last year, Doedee suffered a partial ACL tear in the same knee during a training session. Sidelined for another season, the Geelong product returned to action with Brisbane's VFL team in April this year. It was the first of 12 appearances for the club's reserves team this year, with the Lions taking a cautious approach with his comeback. However, on the back of improving form and four successive VFL games, Doedee is in contention for AFL selection this weekend, with the Lions needing to find a replacement for concussion victim Ryan Lester for their Gabba clash with the Sydney Swans on Saturday. 'He's been playing really well,' Andrews said of the 28-year-old ex-Crows star. 'I watched a little bit of the game from the VFL on the weekend, and he looked to be in good form, so potentially (there's) an opportunity (for him). 'He's been so unfortunate with some of the setbacks that he's had to deal with, but I truly admire the resilience, the grit, the ability to just get on with life. 'He's someone that regardless of the fact that his body has let him down at times, the way he turns up at the club each and every day with a real energy and a real vibe is great. 'I've really enjoyed his time at the footy club. It'd be great to get him out there on the field with us and playing, but I'm sure that will come at some stage. 'There are a lot of guys in the VFL who have been putting their hand up, giving it their best shot. We play the same way, AFL and VFL, so whoever comes in will be ready to go.' Incase you needed reminding about the weekend 🤩ðŸ'¸ — Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) August 4, 2025 Confidence is high in third-placed Brisbane's camp after a 27-point weekend win over Collingwood at the MCG. It was the perfect response to a disappointing QClash loss to the Gold Coast Suns a week earlier. Andrews said it was now the Lions' job to retain the same 'edge' they showed against the Magpies against a Swans outfit out of finals contention. 'When we've had a poor performance, or had a really tough month coming into a big game, we've been able to get the job done, and we need to make sure as players that we hold up our end of the bargain (against Sydney) and put ourselves on edge,' he said. 'We're aware that the Swans are going to want to come up and try to have a good game against us, but we're really excited. 'If we just focus on what we can control, and that's our effort and our intent, results will look after themselves … but it's important that we come on edge.'
