After losing his starting position in Adelaide’s midfield last season, Richard Douglas is making amends in 2013.

Douglas is enjoying his best season since winning the Crows Club Champion award in 2010. The 26-year-old, whose previous two years were interrupted by hamstring and ankle injuries, has re-established himself as one of Adelaide’s most damaging players.

He’s had more score involvements than any other Crow, playing a role in 30 per cent of the team’s scores. Only five players in the competition have been involved in more scores, including Brownlow Medallists Gary Ablett and Jobe Watson and star forwards Nick Riewoldt and Travis Cloke.

Douglas is ranked equal-2^nd in the AFL for inside 50ms and goal assists, and equal-11th for kicks (eighth for effective kicks). The goalkicking onballer has also slotted 13.5 – ranked fourth at the Club this season. He’s averaging a career-best 23 possessions, six marks and four tackles per game.

The in-form Crow, who signed a three-year deal in 2012, said he’d developed a better understanding of what it takes to play consistent AFL football.

“You get to 26-years-old … and you realise footy isn’t forever. You want to try to reach your potential,” Douglas said.

“Some guys get it straight away, like a Patty Dangerfield. He gets AFL footy. He understands the way he plays and how he needs to go about it. Some blokes take longer and for me it probably took a bit longer than I would’ve liked. Now, I know what makes me play well. You rock up each week and believe you’re going to play well.

“I worked really hard over the summer. A few guys went past me in the midfield last year and I wanted to try to get back to the level I thought I could play at.

“I feel I’m somewhere near that now. Hopefully, I can improve again in the second half of the year.”

Reluctant to compare seasons, Douglas believes this season has been his “most consistent”, but still has areas to improve on, which include winning more of the ball.

“I’ve probably had the most impact on games this season. I’m just enjoying playing my role, which has changed a bit from then (2010),” he said.

“I think the way we structure up around the ball has suited me. Being able to run out games with my increased fitness levels has certainly helped and the game is quicker and that’s probably suited me too.

“I’m still having little lulls in games, which I’m trying to eradicate. I’d like to kick a few more goals and also set some up and I can push into defence a bit more and help out the backs.”