Richard Douglas has been recognised for an influential 2013 season, taking out Adelaide’s Best Team Man award.
The 2010 Crows Club Champion re-established himself as an integral part of the side this year. After an injury interrupted couple of years, Douglas played every game in, arguably, the most consistent season of his career to-date.
The 26-year-old ranked second at Adelaide in total disposals (501) and used his possessions to great effect, involved in more scores than any other Crow (169) - ranked 12th in the AFL.
Douglas kicked 20 goals to finish fourth in the Club’s goalkicking. He also generated 21 goal assists (ranked eighth in the AFL).
Douglas said he was pleased to be able to recapture peak form this season.
“I think the two seasons (2010 and 2013) were pretty similar," Douglas said.
"2010 was probably a breakout year for me. In 2011 and 2012 I had a few injuries, so it was good to get back to my best this season. I’m just looking forward to another good one next year and hopefully the boys can go onto bigger and better things.”
A feature of the damaging midfielder’s game was his ‘two-way’ running, or willingness to work hard in attack and defence. He ranked third in the League for inside 50ms (117) and sixth for combined inside and rebound 50ms (159). He also laid 86 tackles behind only Scott Thompson at Adelaide.
“I was definitely fitter this season," Douglas said.
"I had a big pre-season and put a lot of work in with Nick Poulos and the fitness staff. I got my body up to an AFL standard and it put me in good stead to play good, consistent footy in the midfield this year.”
Past winners of the Best Team Man award include Sam Jacobs (2012), Michael Doughty (2011 and 2008), Scott Stevens (2010 and 2007), Brad Symes (2009), Mark Ricciuto (1994 and 2003), Mark Bickley (1992, 1993 and 2000), Simon Goodwin (2006) and Nathan Bassett (2005).
The award capped off a big night for Douglas, who finished runner-up in the Club Champion award - a mere three votes behind winner Rory Sloane.
