AFTER a disappointing 2007 season, midfielder Michael Doughty wasn’t sure if he would retain his place on Adelaide’s list in 2008.

The Crows expressed a desire to develop their younger players and made some tough decisions on veterans Jason Torney, Matthew Bode and Ian Perrie.

But Doughty, 28, survived the cleanout at West Lakes and has already rewarded Adelaide for its faith by starting the season in arguably career-best form.

The no frills onballer has averaged 26 touches in the past three games and in round two successfully curbed the influence of West Coast match-winner Daniel Kerr.

“At the end of last year there were no guarantees I’d be at the club this year,” Doughty told afc.com.au.

“I was contracted to the club, so I was hopeful that I’d keep my spot, but as you get older and get closer to that 30-barrier, you’ve got to be performing each week to hold your position. I know that’s what I have to do this year.”

Doughty played the first 19 games last season before injuring his hip and being left out of the elimination final team.

“It was obviously disappointing to miss the final,” he said. “Most of the year, I think I played a little bit under the expectations I have of myself.

“It was a disappointing year and then to get an injury, which ruled me out for the rest if the year, was twice as disappointing because I didn’t get the chance to redeem myself.

“I put a big emphasis on making sure my body was right during the pre-season, so I could come out and play some good footy early this year.”

Doughty started his career on the Crows rookie list. He has since played 124 games in the tricolours and coach Neil Craig said the underrated midfielder was playing every game like it was his last.

“Michael Doughty is a very important player for our football club and has been for a long time,” Craig said. “He’s, for want of a better term, playing on the edge and I think his form indicates that he’s playing desperate football.

“His last three weeks, in particular, have been absolutely fantastic. He’s been a role model for our club for a long time and some of the things he’s doing on the field at the moment are really role-model-type actions.”

The media-shy Doughty has also adopted a greater off-field role with Adelaide’s influx of youth this season.

“I’m in a mentoring program now, so I’ve taken a few of the younger boys on and I’m trying to teach them to learn from the mistakes that I made,” he said.

“I’m doing a bit of work with Myke Cook. He’s playing with South Adelaide, which is where I come from, so we have a bit in common.

“I guess that added responsibility helps you mature a lot quicker as a person than, perhaps, you would have in the past.”

Doughty was pleased with his start to the season, but knows youngsters like Cook are waiting to take his place if he allows his form to waver.

“I’ve played a few different roles going from half-back, to tagging, to the midfield, so my ability to switch jobs week-to-week is something I’ve been working on and I’m getting better at it with every game,” he said.

“Now I’ve just got to make sure I keep it up.”