Emerging defender Tom Doedee has taken out the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy for his persistence and professionalism.

His resilience and determination was rewarded with a Round One debut and a breakout season made him the ideal recipient of the trophy.

In 2012, the trophy was introduced in memory of long-serving Crows doctor and Life Member Dr Brian Sando OAM, who passed away after a battle with illness.

Doedee’s meticulous approach to his football preparation saw him enjoy an outstanding debut year to finish with an average of 18 disposals per game with a disposal efficiency of over 81 per cent.

The 21-year-old’s ability to read the play and athleticism to chase down players and take intercept marks (2.2 per game) was rewarded with an AFL Rising Star nomination in just his second AFL game in Round Two.

He fell just short of winning the Ron Evans Medal to Collingwood’s Jaidyn Stephenson.

In his final game of 2018 in Round 22, the young Crow suffered a fractured collarbone after a courageous effort to collect the footy saw him collide with North Melbourne’s Jed Anderson.

Doedee joins previous winners Rory Sloane, David Mackay and Daniel Talia, who won the award back-to-back, after it was first established in 2012.

Winners of the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy:

2012 – Daniel Talia
2013 – Daniel Talia
2014 – Nathan van Berlo
2015 – Jake Lever
2016 – David Mackay
2017 – Rory Sloane 
2018 – Tom Doedee