The Brisbane Lions have officially added Adelaide free agent Tom Doedee after the Crows elected not to match.
Doedee, who came out of contract at West Lakes at the conclusion of this season, chose to exercise his rights as a restricted free agent this year, signing the Lions' offer sheet.
The Crows then entered the mandated three-day window to match Brisbane's offer, with that window scheduled to close at 10:00 AM (AEDT) on Thursday, October 12.
Paperwork lodged.
The Brisbane Lions have made an offer to Restricted Free Agent Tom Doedee (Adelaide Crows). The Adelaide Crows are now in the three-day period where the club can decide whether to match the offer or not. The three-day period ends 10am AEDT, Thursday October 12.
— AFL House (@AFL_House) October 9, 2023
However, it took just minutes for the Crows' hierarchical leaders to make up their minds; choosing to let Doedee walk to the Lions.
The Adelaide Crows have elected to not match the offer and Tom Doedee is now able to join the Brisbane Lions immediately. The Adelaide Crows are to receive an end of Round One compensation pick (currently 19).
— AFL House (@AFL_House) October 9, 2023
According to the AFL, the Crows will receive pick No. 19 as compensation for losing Doedee.
MORE: Full 2023 AFL Draft Order
Following their decision not to match Brisbane's offer, Adelaide swiftly released a club statement on Monday, thanking their now-former defender.
"Tom is a quality person who has brought a lot to our playing group and the Club and we'd like to thank him for his contribution," Crows GM List Management and Strategy Justin Reid said on Monday.
"We understand the nature of free agency in the industry and would like to wish Tom and his partner Emily all the best for the future."
Doedee, who continues to rehabilitate an ACL reconstruction, received genuine interest from Collingwood before officially deciding on Brisbane on Monday morning.
After Marcus Adams' retirement due to ongoing concussion concerns, Doedee figures to fill a significant hole in Brisbane's backline.
The trade period concludes on Wednesday, October 18 at 7:30 PM (AEDT).
Given that he is a very important first choice player for the Crows – and a key defender (who seem to be “in great demand” this year) who WILL play every available game for Brisbane as a first choice player….
IF the tabled contract is such that the “afl” magic black box of arbitrary compensation “decisions” dictates that the Crows get a first rounder for him, they indicate they will not match that offer.
If the offer is not – they indicate they will match the offer and force Brisbane to either table a contract that will do so ……or to offer their own first round pick.
There should be no doubt that they ARE either paying the cash to the player – or the pick to the club.
Well, that was quick!
Still a loss for Adelaide overall though.
They’ll need to make wise use of this pick to break even.
With Murray, Butts, Worrell, Keane, Dawson, Michalanney, Hinge, Smith, Milera, Parnell, Hamill, Scholl, Borlase (and soon Bugess?) all defenders (though a couple unavailable at start of season) – I think the Crows have at the very least scored a win-win from the Doedee to Brissie deal.