Norwood recruit Richard Douglas talks about life after AFL and helping the next generation of talent
Former Crow Richard Douglas talks life after AFL, moving to Norwood and growing the next generation of talent at one of Adelaide’s elite private schools.
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The regret of 2017’s missed opportunity at an AFL premiership with the Adelaide Crows still lingers for Richard Douglas.
Now, as he moves onto the next stage of his career, the 32-year-old is looking for the next best thing.
Douglas last week signed a one-year deal with Norwood – his first new club since moving across from Victoria as a teenager after being drafted by the Crows in 2005.
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A shot at filling that void of winning a senior flag and a chance to launch his next career were the driving forces behind choosing the Redlegs over other SANFL opportunities.
“I just feel they’re right in that premiership window, so to be a part of something like that would be fantastic,” Douglas says.
“It was obviously something I wasn’t able to achieve at AFL level and to do it at SANFL level would finish my footy career off in a good way.
“We had our opportunities (at the Crows) in 2017, ‘18 and even this year but weren’t able to get it done.
“There was quite a few clubs that I spoke to but, for me, Norwood seemed like the club where I felt I good have a good impact and enjoy my footy.”
Douglas says a coaching role in the AFL is something he could look at moving into down the track.
For now, though, he will combine playing at The Parade with a high-performance role at St Peter’s College, working alongside first XVIII football coach Sam Elliot to develop the school’s elite talent.
He believes he can provide value to those students in the mental side of sport, including anxiety, resilience, expectation and all the things that go with it.
Douglas has experienced his own recent battle, dealing with the disappointment of being told his time at the Crows was over, despite feeling he had more to give at AFL level.
But the 246-game midfielder and 2010 club champion realises Adelaide needed to change after a tumultuous 2019.
“The season was really disappointing for not just me but the footy club,” Douglas says.
“The writing was on the wall for the back half of the year that this would probably be my last.
“The club was moving in a different direction – from then on, it was about looking at other opportunities.
“There comes a point in every club where guys get older and you need to regenerate the list
“I’m sure they’ll surprise a few people next year.”
On a personal note, Douglas and wife Alessandra are expecting their first child in April.
patrick.keam@news.com.au