ADELAIDE defender Nathan Bock has been in amazing form this year, winning the Showdown Medal against Port Adelaide last weekend, but it is the lessons he has learned off the field that has helped him enormously this year.

Bock was only able to train with his teammates once a week during what he describes as a tough and “deeply regrettable” period of his life. 

In April, the night after the Crows’ round two loss to St Kilda, Bock was charged with assault after slapping his girlfriend in an alcohol-fuelled incident outside an Adelaide hotel.

He was suspended from playing for one week, fined $5000 and ordered to undergo alcohol, anger management and lifestyle counselling.

Sceptical members of the public saw the club-imposed counselling as simply a way of appeasing supporters and outraged women’s advocacy groups.

But as Bock found out he would do more than just pay lip service to his prescribed rehabilitation.

“I undertook a pretty intensive counselling program for six or seven weeks and I missed quite a large period of training," Bock said.

"I was training by myself sometimes to get the work done around the full-time course, which ran for three or four days a week, and then had to get myself up to play on the weekend.

“It was draining mentally, but it was something I had to do and I took a lot of positives out of doing the program. I learned a lot about myself and about ways to manage the issues that occurred.

“I’ve come out of it a better person. I think I was able to handle it pretty well and still be able to play some good football.”

The club copped some stinging criticism following its decision to allow Bock to return to the field just one week after the serious indiscretion.

But the creative defender, who will line-up in his 100th AFL game this week, said football had played a crucial role in the rehabilitation process.

“Both [girlfriend] Carlie and I had great support from within the football club and our friends and families. Being able to play football with only missing the one week was a big help for me as well,” Bock said.

“Footy has been a great outlet and has allowed me to get my mind off things. I was able to go out and enjoy what I love doing.”

In June, Bock appeared in court and was slapped with a 12-month suspended sentence and $2000 good behaviour bond.

He has since met with the heads of an Adelaide women’s shelter and will begin his 50 hours of community service over the next couple of months.

Bock made a seamless return to football against Geelong in round four, but was met with hostility when the Crows headed to the MCG to play Melbourne the following week.

The reigning club champion was booed every time he touched the ball, but said life has almost returned to normal.

Bock, who still has leadership aspirations at West Lakes, said he was determined to earn back the respect lost as a result of his mistakes.

“I’m really keen to keep playing good football and contribute to the club that way. I just want to show the playing group I’m pretty keen to make amends,” Bock said.