Unlucky Lion close to AFL return
Doedee signed a four-year deal with the Lions in October 2023, and there were high hopes he would become a key member of Brisbane's backline despite him still recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at the time.
However, just days before what was expected to be his first top-flight appearance for Brisbane in March last year, Doedee suffered a partial ACL tear in the same knee during a training session.
Sidelined for another season, the Geelong product returned to action with Brisbane's VFL team in April this year.
It was the first of 12 appearances for the club's reserves team this year, with the Lions taking a cautious approach with his comeback.
However, on the back of improving form and four successive VFL games, Doedee is in contention for AFL selection this weekend, with the Lions needing to find a replacement for concussion victim Ryan Lester for their Gabba clash with the Sydney Swans on Saturday.
'He's been playing really well,' Andrews said of the 28-year-old ex-Crows star.
'I watched a little bit of the game from the VFL on the weekend, and he looked to be in good form, so potentially (there's) an opportunity (for him).
'He's been so unfortunate with some of the setbacks that he's had to deal with, but I truly admire the resilience, the grit, the ability to just get on with life.
'He's someone that regardless of the fact that his body has let him down at times, the way he turns up at the club each and every day with a real energy and a real vibe is great.
'I've really enjoyed his time at the footy club. It'd be great to get him out there on the field with us and playing, but I'm sure that will come at some stage.
'There are a lot of guys in the VFL who have been putting their hand up, giving it their best shot. We play the same way, AFL and VFL, so whoever comes in will be ready to go.'
Confidence is high in third-placed Brisbane's camp after a 27-point weekend win over Collingwood at the MCG.
It was the perfect response to a disappointing QClash loss to the Gold Coast Suns a week earlier.
Andrews said it was now the Lions' job to retain the same 'edge' they showed against the Magpies against a Swans outfit out of finals contention.
'When we've had a poor performance, or had a really tough month coming into a big game, we've been able to get the job done, and we need to make sure as players that we hold up our end of the bargain (against Sydney) and put ourselves on edge,' he said.
'We're aware that the Swans are going to want to come up and try to have a good game against us, but we're really excited.
'If we just focus on what we can control, and that's our effort and our intent, results will look after themselves … but it's important that we come on edge.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
2 minutes ago
- Courier-Mail
AFL 2025; Lachie Neale sidelined until finals
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Brisbane Lions superstar Lachie Neale won't play the remainder of the home and away season after suffering a quad injury. The dual Brownlow Medallist underwent scans after pulling up sore from the Lions' triumphant win over Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday. They revealed a minor concern which will sideline Neale for three weeks. Lachie Neale will miss three weeks with a quad concern. (Photo by) The pre-finals bye means Neale should be able to return for Brisbane's premiership defence. Reliable defender Ryan Lester has entered mandatory concussion protocols after his head clash against the Magpies. The Lions are third with Sydney, Fremantle and Hawthorn to come on the run home. GWS have lost emerging midfielder Toby McMullin for the rest of the season after scans confirmed a syndesmosis injury for the youngster. The 20-year-old underwent surgery on Monday to repair the damage. Originally published as AFL 2025: Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale sidelined with a quad concern
News.com.au
6 minutes ago
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale sidelined with a quad concern
Brisbane Lions superstar Lachie Neale won't play the remainder of the home and away season after suffering a quad injury. The dual Brownlow Medallist underwent scans after pulling up sore from the Lions' triumphant win over Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday. They revealed a minor concern which will sideline Neale for three weeks. The pre-finals bye means Neale should be able to return for Brisbane's premiership defence. Reliable defender Ryan Lester has entered mandatory concussion protocols after his head clash against the Magpies. The Lions are third with Sydney, Fremantle and Hawthorn to come on the run home. GWS have lost emerging midfielder Toby McMullin for the rest of the season after scans confirmed a syndesmosis injury for the youngster. The 20-year-old underwent surgery on Monday to repair the damage.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
AFL champ details abusive upbringing with ‘violent' father
Former AFL star-turned-media personality Jimmy Bartel has lifted the lid on his troubled childhood at the hands of his 'violent' father, and revealed why he believes the game's first openly gay men's player is yet to come forward. In a candid interview with Sarah Grynberg on the A Life of Greatness podcast, Bartel revealed that behind the three-time premiership player and Brownlow medallist was a man who had endured his fair share of personal challenges. Largely raised in Geelong, the ex-Cat's parents separated when he was just one-year-old, recalling a pivotal moment in his relationship with his father after spending school holidays with him aged 14. 'I'm pretty guarded and reserved, and I remember coming home, I went straight to my bedroom and then Mum comes in and goes, 'What's wrong?'' Bartel recalled, responding, 'I just don't think he's the person I think he is'. 'I didn't have a great time up there with him and had a pretty average night, one night with him, which (was) pretty scary for myself. He had been heavily drinking and things like that, he got pretty physical with myself, sort of stuff that you'd put away and seen earlier, that sort of all came to the surface.' Bartel shares sons Henley and Aston with ex-wife Nadia Bartel, and young daughter Paloma with girlfriend Amelia Shepperd. Jimmy Bartel and partner Amelia Shepperd. Credit: Jimmy Bartel / IG He added it was difficult to see his father, who had battled alcoholism, turn on his charm and charisma around friends but cut a totally different figure in the presence of loved ones. At one particularly low point, the former player revealed his father threatened to end his mother's life if she didn't allow him more time with Bartel and his two sisters. Jimmy Bartel and his sons Henley and Aston. Credit: Jiimmy Bartel/IG / IG Despite his parents' separation, Bartel said his father would 'come around home and my mum had placed an AVO (Apprehended Violence Order) on him, he came around and told her to lift the AVO or else he was going to take mum'. 'I remember looking out the lounge room window and he was taking my mum and I only found out until I was older, he was taking mum out to the back of Geelong and pretty much gave her the ultimatum, either remove the AVO or this is the end for you. 'And so it was a tough decision for my mum, do you leave three kids with no mum or you come back home and you remove the AVO and you try and manage things a different way?' Sharing much of his playing career with fellow club legend Joel Selwood, the 41-year-old said it was difficult to watch his close friend suffer the tragedy of two premature family deaths in brothers Troy and Adam earlier this year. And with more than just his personal connection to the Selwoods, Bartel said his mother had also drawn close to Bryce and Marie Selwood after sharing the locker room with their son for more than 13 years. Geelong v St Kilda in the Grand Final at the MCG; Joel Selwood, Joel Corey, Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Cameron Ling with the cup. Credit: Mal Fairclough / WA News 'I think the most difficult thing is, like, what do you say? And I know that's the minor end of the problem, but you just want to make it all better for them,' Bartel said. 'But then you want them to know that you're still always there, even after the phone call, the message, or seeing them in person. And the resilience of that family is extraordinary. I still can't get my head around it. 'I think it gets put into laser focus, you know, with when you have your own kids losing one child.' Joel Selwood, Adam Selwood and Scott Selwood embrace during Troy Selwood's Funeral Service at GMHBA Stadium on February 14, 2025 in Geelong. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos / AFL Photos via Getty Images Having met all types of AFL players in his time, Bartel shared what he believed might be holding back the game's first ever openly gay male player from coming out. Describing modern AFL locker rooms as 'open-minded', Bartel suggested clubs are better placed than ever to support such a player. And it's just as likely an accomplished star feels forced to mask their sexuality as someone on the fringe. 'One of the factors I think might be holding back a player, a male player of coming out is that'll be all they'll be referenced as for the rest of their life… he might be a four-time Brownlow medal winner, five time Premiership player, won every award in the game, 300 games, a legend. But if they were the first player, that would be how they'd describe them,' he said. 'And I think it diminishes what they've done incredibly well in the game. Not that it should, but I reckon there'd be some who might be thinking, you know, do I want that always attached to me? And again, that's only an opinion of someone who's never walked a mile in that person's shoes.' Retiring in 2016 after 305 games, Bartel has since become heavily involved in AFL media across TV and radio as an analyst.
