Crows' pint-sized powerhouse

Richard Douglas at a Crows training. Source: The Advertiser

And the 23-year-old Victorian won it early, although there was a late challenge from fellow midfielder Scott Thompson.

Douglas, who last month signed a contract extension to stay with Adelaide in this emerging period of hectic player movement, is the third consecutive new generation Crow to wear the gold jacket as club champion. This follows the first-up wins of centre half-back Nathan Bock in 2008 and midfielder Bernie Vince last year.

Douglas polled 35 votes in a system that has the Adelaide coaches collectively assess each of the Crows players on a 4-3-2-1-0 basis after every game.

He collected five votes more than Thompson on a leaderboard that did not have any of the Crows veterans - captain Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod, Brett Burton and Tyson Edwards - in the top five, reflecting the changing of the guard at West Lakes.

Douglas' triumph is a victory based on persistence and consistency - and simplifying his football. It also proves the importance of having an uninterrupted pre-season to build up fitness levels for a demanding AFL premiership campaign.

He played in all 22 games this season - as he did in 2008. But in 2008, when Bock was club champion, Douglas ranked 17th in the count.

Season 2010 emphasises Douglas is meeting coach Neil Craig's demand of not just turning up to play - but performing.

In his 22 games this season, Douglas polled votes in 19.

Douglas took the lead (14-13) - from McLeod - in round nine when he polled a maximum four votes for 23-disposal, three-goal performance against Brisbane. He never lost the lead after this point.

Thompson's challenge ended at Round 21 when Douglas had a five-vote lead (32-27). Both players polled three votes in Round 22 to keep Douglas' margin at five.

"I trained hard over the pre-season and had a bit of a different approach this year," said Douglas of his breakthrough season.

This change to his football required a less-cluttered mind and determination to ignore negative thoughts during a game in which he would previously become frustrated if minutes went by without a possession.

There are some significant notes from last night's count.

The horror of Adelaide's record 0-6 start was reflected in the votes. At the end of round six, no player was in double figures. The leader was midfielder David Mackay with eight votes.

Edwards' memorable farewell game - in which he was lauded as best-on-ground as he chalked up a season-high 32 disposals was scored with just two votes from the coaches.

They regarded Douglas and Thompson, with three votes each, as better players.

Goodwin finished his career in Round 16 - when he was second in the count, trailling Douglas 26-22. In his 16 games this season, Goodwin polled votes in 12.

Veteran defender Michael Doughty's claim to stay on the Adelaide list is underlined by his third placing in the count with 27 votes.

Bock, who has defected to the Gold Coast, chose to pass up his invitation to last night's function at the Adelaide Convention Centre.