Richard Douglas says it was a thrill to captain Adelaide, albeit briefly, in the opening round of the NAB Cup at AAMI Stadium.
Douglas and David Mackay shared the captaincy duties on Sunday in the absence of skipper Nathan van Berlo and the entire senior leadership group. Mackay skippered the team in the first game against St Kilda, while Douglas took the official title for the clash with Port Adelaide.
An emerging leader at West Lakes, Douglas said he enjoyed the responsibility of the role.
“You try not to do anything differently because you’re captain, but it was a thrill,” he said.
“I’m probably one up on D-Mac (Mackay) because he had a loss in the first game as captain.
“It was a bit of an honour for me.”
The Crows made amends for a lacklustre display against the Saints with a 16-point win over the Power, giving the teams one win apiece at the completion of the triangular series.
“We were pretty disappointing in the first game,” Douglas said.
“Our transition and skills in particular were pretty poor, but to the boys’ credit we responded well and had a good win in the second game.”
Adelaide had an extended break between games, taking respite from the stifling heat in the changerooms.
“It was 38 degrees and we felt every bit of that,” he said.
“The results in the second and third games showed that the team that came in fresh won. We had the pool and ice baths to use to our advantage, and that probably played a part.
“But the way we went about it in the second game was also a lot better than the first game.”
Douglas collected 14 disposals and 1.2 across the day to be one of Adelaide’s leading possession-getters. Matt Wright was also a strong contributor in the midfield, but Douglas was impressed with some of his younger teammates.
“Cameron (Ellis-Yolmen) was really good and Rory Laird did a few nice things,” he said.
“Blokes in their second year, like Brad Crouch and Sam Kerridge and also (third-year) Jarryd Lyons also showed some good things. It’s great they got a chance today because last year not many of those boys got an opportunity.
“We look forward to them, hopefully, having an impact this year.”
A veteran of 114 games, Douglas was the most experienced Crow on the ground in the second game (Graham Johncock took the honours in the first match). A number of senior players were rested in the opening round of the NAB Cup, but Douglas said his preference was to play.
“For me, the more footy I play the better I feel,” he said.
“When you’re up and about, injury-free and going alright you just want to play. I’ll talk to Sando and the fitness staff and see what’s best for me, but I’m happy to keep playing footy.”
