While fans are always focused on the season at hand, Adelaide’s List Manager Justin Reid and Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie are regularly looking ahead at the next decade of success.

Back in 2015, those long-term plans saw defender Tom Doedee bolt into the first round of the National Draft and onto Adelaide’s list at pick No. 17.

A talented junior basketballer, the Geelong Falcons player impressed at the draft combine but was tipped to be a second or third round pick.

Speaking on the Road to the 2018 Draft podcast this week, Ogilvie said Doedee’s selection was a unanimous one for the Crows.

“It’s probably a good example of where you put the external noise out and you discuss with your team and have healthy debate,” Ogilvie explained.

“We often argued and had some strong discussions about a player, but Tom was one where we pretty much all agreed.

“We thought it would be a rounded-out pick but we also knew we had some clubs pretty close by with some strong interest as well.”

Since making his debut in Round 1 against Essendon, and earning a Rising Star nomination in Round 2, Doedee has been a staple in Adelaide’s backline.

His success has not come from luck – it is all hard work according to Reid.

“I think even Tommy would admit he’s overachieved but at the same time he’s worked really, really hard,” Reid said.

“He knew what he had to do in the offseason and Pykey sat him down at the end of last year and said there would be an opportunity there for you.

“He was a bit restricted too, because of his basketball background there was a little bit of knee tendonitis so that held him back with what he could do on the track.

“But he’s worked extremely hard so it’s a real credit to Tom.”

As a top 20 pick, some may have expected Doedee to debut sooner but his personal development into a 10-12 year player has been more important for Ogilvie.

“We get a bit held up with the draft comes and everyone expects them to play the next year,” Ogilvie said.

“We pick them for 10 or 12 years, not the next year, not for the next five minutes.

“In the industry and at the clubs we all know you need to be patient, it’s not going to happen overnight.

“Just because you don’t play in your first or second year doesn’t mean you can’t have a 10-year AFL career. We hope he does.”