Brisbane recruit Tom Doedee has explained how the club’s medical staff played a key role in him choosing to join the Lions over Collingwood.
Doedee, a restricted free agent with Adelaide, was subjected to a bidding war between the two grand finalists but rejected the premiers for the team they beat in the decider.
The 26-year-old defender has been cruelled by injuries throughout his 82-game career, with the latest being a second ACL tear in the space of four years.
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Brisbane’s medical staff has developed a reputation for being one of the AFL’s best, having resurrected the career of Lincoln McCarthy. Joe Daniher has also avoided any trouble with his groins since joining the club from Essendon.
“It definitely played a massive part,” Doedee said of the Lions medical staff’s impact on his decision.
“Personally, having talked to a few of the boys, I know Linc McCarthy well and Dunks (Josh Dunkley), and they spoke really highly about it.
“Looking from afar I knew a lot of guys had come here and not only rehabbed well, but actually played their best footy afterwards.
“Talking to the docs and the staff during the interview process, I knew that I was in the right hands if I was to sign here. Straight away they’ve looked after me and made me feel at home.
“It was something I deliberated on for a while because obviously it’s a big move at this stage of my career, to uplift me and my partner and move elsewhere.”
Doedee has family in Queensland and admitted that was one of many factors in him joining Brisbane.
“Family up here being an hour down the road was something that was also really appealing,” he said.
“Knowing that if something wasn’t going well I can just duck down the road for the weekend and see the niece and nephew and look after them for a little bit.
“Once the interview process started and I met a lot of the coaches and staff … it just felt like home. I’m really glad and content with my decision.”
Doedee is one of the AFL’s best intercept defenders when healthy and was expected to land significant contract offers before his season was brought to an end in July.