Lions co-captain Harris Andrews has hailed the “resilience” of former Adelaide defender Tom Doedee, who is close to his first AFL appearance for Brisbane since joining the club almost two years ago.

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.”