The Crows have selected promising defender Tom Doedee with pick No.17 in Tuesday’s AFL National Draft.

Doedee, 18, excels one-on-one, is strong overhead and clean below his knees. He has the capability to play on taller or smaller opponents.

Doedee (pronounced 'Doo-day') rocketed into draft calculations on the back of one impressive season. As recently as last year, the former basketballer was representing his state at the Under-18 Australian basketball championships.

He did the pre-season with TAC Cup team, Geelong Falcons, and by June was selected to represent Victoria Country at the Under-18 National Championships. Doedee was also invited to the Draft Combine where he finished fifth in the agility test and ninth in the relative vertical jump.

Geelong Falcons talent manager Michael Turner said Doedee had “big upside”.

"Tom's a new talent. He did a preseason with us last year, but wanted to concentrate on his basketball,” Turner said.

“He was a point guard and hoping to get a scholarship in America, but that didn't work out so he came back to us. He couldn't do much training before Christmas because of injury and he carried a bit of a shoulder through the year, but the clubs look at him and think 'new talent, basketball background, big upside.'

“He's a very disciplined kid and he played really well for us at the start and end of the year in particular. When he wasn't injured he did really well for Vic Country as well. At the moment he needs to improve the attacking side of his game, but he's a very good one on one defender, he keeps his feet, stays in the contest, defends really well and has kept some really good players quiet.

“He's not often beaten in a one on one contest."

Prior to selecting Doedee, the Crows bid on GWS Academy player Harrison Himmelberg. The bid was matched by Greater Western Sydney. Adelaide’s second pick – originally No.13 – moved to No.17 as a result of bids on Academy players.

DRAFTEE BIO:
Tom Doedee
187cm, 80kg
1/3/1997
Defender
Geelong Falcons