Tom Doedee during the AFL match between Essendon and Adelaide, Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media
Adelaide defender Tom Doedee has provided an update on the shoulder setback that saw him require surgery in the off-season.
Despite initially facing issues with his shoulder midway through the 2022 season, Doedee played out 20 games this year - only missing Round 20 and 21.
After undergoing medical assessment on his hampered shoulder, an "inevitable" decision was eventually made for the Crows leader to go under the knife.
The setback has left him in a sling across the off-season, while contact training won't occur until next year.
“Round Eight or Nine I hurt the shoulder, and it was well-documented towards the end of the year I was a bit banged up,” Doedee revealed at the National Inclusion Carnival at West Lakes this week.
“We took every option to avoid surgery but it was inevitable in the end.
“Hopefully I'll be out of this sling by Thursday, back running in a few days time and back into contact (training) early next year (to) build up for Round One.”
The Crows will enter 2023 with newfound optimism after an exciting off-season that followed another year in their rebuild under senior coach Matthew Nicks.
Adelaide acquired gun South Australian forward Izak Rankine from the Gold Coast Suns through the trade period in what was a major coup for the club.
Rankine will officially join his new teammates for training early next month, while first-to-fourth-year players begin pre-season on November 21.
“I'm excited for it,” Doedee said when asked on returning for another year.
“It's the hardest time of the year in terms of the running and the weather, but we've had everyone back in the gym already.
“It feels like we're already back in some sense, but to have the coaches, staff and players back on one schedule is exciting.”
Doedee firms as a strong chance to be handed the Crows captaincy for next season after holding a deputy role to Rory Sloane in recent years.
The 25-year-old has played 71 games for the Crows in five seasons, having seen his opportunities limited due to a number of season-ending injury setbacks.