Richard Douglas hails from Broadford but is ready to help steer Adelaide to Grand Final

RICHARD Douglas didn’t know how long he’d be in Adelaide after arriving as a teenager from country Victoria but now he only has one goal, a premiership.

Richard Douglas celebrates a goal during the qualifying final against GWS.

RICHARD Douglas wasn’t sure how long he’d call South Australia home when he arrived at the Crows 12 years ago as teenager from country Victoria.

Hailing from the town of Broadford, about 80km north of Melbourne, Douglas admits there has been the temptation to return home to Victoria throughout his career.

But after “falling in love” with the club that welcomed him in as an 18-year-old, there has been one overriding force keeping him at West Lakes.

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“I’ve had opportunities to head home throughout my career, but I’ve always had the dream to win a premiership with the Crows,’’ Douglas said.

“That’s still there and that’s what drives me everyday to train and become a better footballer and hopefully this year is the year.

“When you come to Adelaide as an 18-year-old, you’re not sure how long you’re going to be there or what the future holds. But ... it became a home away from home and as you grow up and mature you fall in love with the club a little bit.

Richard Douglas in action for Vic Metro in the 2005 Under-18 Championships.

“I entertained the thought (of going home), but at the same time it was a pretty easy decision to stay at the footy club and I’m definitely glad I have over 12 years, it’s been a fantastic journey ... to top it off with a Grand Final berth would be really exciting.’’

Douglas is now as close to fulfilling that dream with the Crows as he ever has been ahead of Friday night’s preliminary final against Geelong at Adelaide Oval.

The 30-year-old was a member of the Adelaide preliminary final team that lost to Hawthorn by five points at the MCG in 2012, but he considers this year’s group the most threatening Crows’ team he has been a part of.

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“I would say it is the strongest,’’ Douglas said.

“The core of the group has been together for three or four years and we’ve just had that natural maturity that comes with time.

“Obviously 2012 was disappointing to lose by a kick, but we have been building for a number of years now and it would be fantastic to get to the big dance and see what happens from there.

Richard Douglas says the 2017 group is the strongest Crows team he has been a part of.

“No doubt it is as good a group as I have been a part of.”

While he might not attract the attention of some of his more high-profile teammates, Douglas’ role in the group’s premiership tilt this season can’t be overlooked.

Having brought up his 200th AFL game in April this year, the Crows’ veteran has enjoyed a strong, yet perhaps underrated season, averaging almost 22 disposals a match.

He played an important role in the 36-point qualifying final win against Greater Western Sydney two weeks ago, amassing 20 disposals, seven clearances and kicking two goals, helping cover for the absence of vice-captain Rory Sloane in the midfield.

And if his performance against Geelong in Round 18 — when he kicked four goals — is any guide, he’ll be just as important this time.

“It’s been pretty consistent,’’ Douglas said of his 2017 season, one of his strongest since being named club champion seven years ago.

“I’ve played a number of roles whether it be midfield, back or forward and I’ve enjoyed that and just tried to lend a bit of a hand to the younger guys, being a bit more experienced and I have enjoyed that role, too.

“I don’t think I have played too many poor games throughout the year, which has been nice.’’

Richard Douglas kicked four goals against the Cats the last time they met. Picture: Sarah Reed

Adelaide’s Mr Versatile, Douglas has often had his role reinvented over his time at the Crows, but favours the midfield “hunt” more than anything.

“Midfield is probably my favourite position, you get a bit more license there to run around and hunt the footy a bit more and it probably comes more natural to me,’’ Douglas said.

“I enjoy the midfield, but at the same time I have probably played a bit more across halfback this year, which I haven’t done too much in the past, and have really tried to embrace as well.

“That’s been good for me learning a few different things. As you get older it’s good to learn new things ... I think that has helped me as a footballer.’’

Douglas won the Crows’ best-and-fairest in 2010 and was a runner-up three years later in 2013, but he believes he has matured even more as a footballer since then.

“Probably the last three or four years I have become more consistent,’’ said Douglas, a first-round draft selection at No.16 for the Crows in 2005.

“Throughout games and throughout quarters I have stayed more consistent and haven’t drifted out of games where I would have in the past, which probably comes with a bit of maturity.’’

As one of the most experienced players’ on the Crows’ list, Douglas says he will be drawing on the heartache of the team’s preliminary final loss in 2012 to help drive the Grand Final charge.

Richard Douglas and fellow Victorian Matt Crouch. Picture: Sarah Reed

“Not everyone was part of that group, but the core group of players that we’ve got now were there then and we do talk about that a little bit,’’ Douglas said.

“A lot has changed since then, but we know that feeling we had when the final siren went and we were on the wrong side of the result and we certainly don’t want that to happen again.’’

Douglas has his family flying over from Victoria for the preliminary final and they will be among the loudest supporters in the crowd at the Adelaide Oval tonight.

And he’s expecting his home town of Broadford to get behind the Crows as well.

“A lot of the people back there, the Crows are their second favourite club. Every time the Crows are on TV or Fox Footy, they put on half-price beers at the local pub,’’ Douglas said.

“I always get a lot of texts and support from back home, which is fantastic. I’ve been over here for 12 years, but you certainly don’t forget where you’re from and all the support that you get back home — it’s excellent.

“It would be nice to make the Grand Final, I’m sure they’d have a hell of a party down at the local.’’