How does Paul Chapman slip through?

[MC Extra Dollop]

Cats needed to make a call on a guy with 1-2 years left (legend or not) or let one of the promising kids step up. Given they were missing Chappy for a great deal of last year and replaced him with players that got them close to a premiership berth, I don't think it was a mistake.

As far as I'm concerned there's two aspects to the 'promising young kids' thing and they're equally important in judging Geelong's decision.

The first is Chapman's spot on the senior list. In that sense, he wasn't competing with the 'promising young kids' that are already getting games in the seniors; none of them were going anywhere at the end of last season. He was competing with the worst player on our list that was coming out of contract and that neutral supporters would almost certainly have never heard of (and probably never will). Whether Geelong supporters want to admit it or not, a lot of these 'kids' (many of whom have been on the list for 4+ years) are well and truly at 'put up or shut up' time, as far as their careers with Geelong go. My personal opinion is that more than one of them were very fortunate to get another year.

The second is actual game time. I don't think anyone would have had a problem with Chapman playing the 16-game H&A schedule that's been suggested. There's already been whispers that he'll be rested this week for the Fremantle game. Target interstate trips, six-day breaks and pretty certain wins as games that he could sit out, or be the sub. Then, you just have to rotate the other established senior players more aggressively (say, an average of three games each for the season) and, without even factoring in genuine injuries, you'll have around two full seasons' worth of games to distribute to whichever young fringe players are demanding them. Which would result in (for example) the likes of Jackson Thurlow, George Horlin-Smith, Lincoln McCarthy, George Burbury, Josh Walker, Jesse Stringer, Jordan Schroder and Jed Bews all getting a handful more games in the seniors than they would otherwise, as well as giving our veteran players the best chance to be cherry ripe, heading into the finals.

As far as I'm concerned, that's problem solved.

Just enjoy the fact he is out there and lighting up the stage. This game is about entertainment.

Absolutely. I wasn't sure how I'd respond when I first saw Ablett in a Gold Coast guernsey, but I immediately found myself supporting him. I knew I'd be very keen for Chapman to do well at his new club and to me, it's absolutely no surprise that he has. I can't remember ever hating an ex-Geelong player when he's gone to another team and I'm not about to start with a club champion that wanted to stay.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

How would you have liked Dermie coming to play for you? Professional or not, it was never going to happen. We didn't want Chapman in brown and gold and I would be surprised (and slightly put off) if he wanted to come and play with us.

It's before my time, but wouldn't Brereton have had more reason to be aggrieved with Geelong than the other way around at the time? Or the Hawthorn supporters with Brereton for leaving, in that scenario? What did Geelong supporters have to be angry with Brereton about, besides him being a very good player? He gave one out to Yeates during the season and took his medicine in the grand final (to put it mildly) like a man.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Well I guess you can only go on the way he's gone so far. His hammy's have been alright, although it does seem like he'll miss this week with his ankle, although rumors suggest Fletcher might miss as well so perhaps there's an element of management.

If he's really going to aim for 16 H&A games, this weekend would absolutely have been one of the ones that he'd have been locked in to miss. Keep him in Victoria, avoid a six day break (St Kilda the following Saturday) and keep him relatively fresh for Anzac Day. I'd be more surprised if he gets on the plane than if he doesn't, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with him.

 

[seysearles]

What did Chapman ever do, apart from his job in playing well.

Never involved in any unsavoury incidents with Hawks players.

You do realise the whole 'Chappy's Oath' thing was bullshit right? Just fodder for commentators and forum schmucks to talk about.

He's just a very good player, and with Hawthorn's list management you're kidding yourself if you think the thought didnt occur to them. They'd be letting petty bullshit get in the way of their jobs, and good clubs don't do that.

It's before my time, but wouldn't Brereton have had more reason to be aggrieved with Geelong than the other way around at the time? Or the Hawthorn supporters with Brereton for leaving, in that scenario? What did Geelong supporters have to be angry with Brereton about, besides him being a very good player? He gave one out to Yeates during the season and took his medicine in the grand final (to put it mildly) like a man.

Whether or not the "oath" is real or not the mythology of it is, as is the dislike that has curdled between hawks supporters and cats supporters because of it. Chapman would be more than aware of the perception of him as the enemy amongst Hawthorn supporters as would the club. To put that aside and join the enemies ranks, whilst possible, would be very very unlikely.

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

I can't believe your supporter base is that childish.

 

[van peebles]

bruce mathieson refused to hand over blank cheques until MM was gone.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Whether or not the "oath" is real or not the mythology of it is, as is the dislike that has curdled between hawks supporters and cats supporters because of it. Chapman would be more than aware of the perception of him as the enemy amongst Hawthorn supporters as would the club. To put that aside and join the enemies ranks, whilst possible, would be very very unlikely.

My guess is Chapman in a Hawthorn guernsey would make any Geelong supporter's skin crawl. And that there'd be few things that would delight Hawthorn supporters more (both that they got an A-grader for nothing and that it was a former Geelong champion).

As far as I'm concerned, the rivalry between the clubs is almost entirely to do with the supporters. There may be the odd villain from either side (perhaps Scarlett for Geelong and someone like Guerra for Hawthorn, guys like Selwood and Mitchell if you want to look more broadly), but, by and large, both playing groups seem to have a lot of respect for each other. I like Hawthorn's players; they seem like a nice enough bunch of blokes.

 

[seysearles]

My guess is Chapman in a Hawthorn guernsey would make any Geelong supporter's skin crawl. And that there'd be few things that would delight Hawthorn supporters more (both that they got an A-grader for nothing and that it was a former Geelong champion).

As far as I'm concerned, the rivalry between the clubs is almost entirely to do with the supporters. There may be the odd villain from either side (perhaps Scarlett for Geelong and someone like Guerra for Hawthorn, guys like Selwood and Mitchell if you want to look more broadly), but, by and large, both playing groups seem to have a lot of respect for each other. I like Hawthorn's players; they seem like a nice enough bunch of blokes.

Ask Chapman what he thinks of Hawthorn supporters. My bet is that he cops shit from us on a constant basis. All these things do not lend themselves to players swapping ranks. btw the thought of Chapman in Hawks guernsey would make me projectile vomit into my Record. Im very happy with Chapman being the guy we love to hate. In fact this Essendon switch has just confirmed that he is the personification of evil. He couldn't have picked 2 clubs that represent the dark and loathsome elements of society than those two. Im not sure he should be allowed in the suburb of Hawthorn, let alone the club and our colours.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Ask Chapman what he thinks of Hawthorn supporters. My bet is that he cops shit from us on a constant basis. All these things do not lend themselves to players swapping ranks. btw the thought of Chapman in Hawks guernsey would make me projectile vomit into my Record. Im very happy with Chapman being the guy we love to hate. In fact this Essendon switch has just confirmed that he is the personification of evil. He couldn't have picked 2 clubs that represent the dark and loathsome elements of society than those two. Im not sure he should be allowed in the suburb of Hawthorn, let alone the club and our colours.

Fair enough. I'd be more than happy to welcome any player that has consistently played excellent football against my club for close to a decade, particularly one that doesn't really seem to have done anything else worthy of hatred from that club (e.g. sniping, rubbing players/supporters noses in it after a win...whatever).

Is that the only thing that makes you dislike him? Because it sounds like you'd rather get a player on board only if he had consistently spudded it up against your team in his previous matches on the other side, so he'd never given you a reason to dislike him. It's fair to say, I'm completely the opposite.

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

I wouldn't have a problem with any player that crossed form the Hawks to the Cats for whatever reason - now that Guerra is gone

 

[seysearles]

I wouldn't have a problem with any player that crossed form the Hawks to the Cats for whatever reason - now that Guerra is gone

Exactly!

 

[Connoisseur]

Guerra is rubbish though (okay a semi serviceable sniping cowardly little thug) and not a like for like comparison. I'll admit that I'd have a real problem welcoming Hodge, Mitchell, Gibson, Rioli etc.. into the Geelong fold no matter how good they purportedly are. They are stained (of the brown and yellow kind) as far as I'm concerned. I guess I'm more tribal in my outlook than some other Geelong supporters.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Pretty happy we made a good decision here. I love the bloke and he's a quality player but:

1. The chances of him being in our best 22 this September either through injury, suspension or drop off in form were probably 50/50 (and still are).
2. It's hard to have good team defensive pressure when you've got a guy who's so slow in the forward line.
3. With him in the team it's harder to blood young players since he takes up a small forward/midfield spot where the vast majority of our youngsters start their careers.
4. Once you give a champion of the club an extra year they're basically locked in. We found that out with Scarlett where, in hindsight, it would've been better for everybody if he'd retired after 2011 and we'd been able to plan his absence rather than having a legend underperforming.

If we lose the grand final by a kick it'll look bad but there's a good chance we'll be better at the end of this year without him on the list. I'm completely confident we'll be better in the future because of this. I love the bloke and it's great to see him playing well but it was the correct decision.

 

[PatrickBateman]

I wouldn't have a problem with any player that crossed form the Hawks to the Cats for whatever reason - now that Guerra is gone

+1

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Guerra is rubbish though (okay a semi serviceable sniping cowardly little thug) and not a like for like comparison. I'll admit that I'd have a real problem welcoming Hodge, Mitchell, Gibson, Rioli etc.. into the Geelong fold no matter how good they purportedly are. They are stained (of the brown and yellow kind) as far as I'm concerned. I guess I'm more tribal in my outlook than some other Geelong supporters.

Geelong supporters who have the ability to place value on a player's ability would be breathing a collective sigh of relief that you are not involved in recruitment at the cattery.

 

[Boxhead_31]

Apparently Carlton were the other team to show significant interest in Chappy but it was the Bomba factor that got him to Essendon

 

[HirdyLannister]

Apparently Carlton were the other team to show significant interest in Chappy but it was the Bomba factor that got him to Essendon

More likely Carltons shit list and not buying into the BS of them being close to a flag was the main factor he went to Essendon.

 

[carl m]

Guerra is rubbish though (okay a semi serviceable sniping cowardly little thug) and not a like for like comparison. I'll admit that I'd have a real problem welcoming Hodge, Mitchell, Gibson, Rioli etc.. into the Geelong fold no matter how good they purportedly are. They are stained (of the brown and yellow kind) as far as I'm concerned. I guess I'm more tribal in my outlook than some other Geelong supporters.

More tribal? More idiotic if you ask me, i would embrace any of Hodge, Mitchell, Gibson or Rioli.. Do you also think we should have told Ablett Snr to F off because he was a Hawks player previously..

Back on the Chappy subject, i think he would still have been a Cats player had he accepted our terms but he didn't so that's that.. To date we haven't but we may miss his style of play, however i think by blooding a younger player will benefit us in the long term..

We all know he can play, if he manages to stay injury free he will serve the Bombers well for the next year or two so good luck to him.

 

[Connoisseur]

I was trying to empathize with seysearles sentiments on the matter, that's all. Ablett Senior did not have the baggage and history against Geelong that players like Hodge and Mitchell have so I also don't think that's a fair comparison. Ablett had played merely a handful of games for the brown and yellow, hardly what I would call an established HFC legend. On the contrary, he's reviled by many at Hawthorn for deserting them and taking his talents all the way down to Geelong.

 

[Gavin Excell]

I think its fair to say Geelong fans are mixed on this one.

indeed

 

[carl m]

I was trying to empathize with seysearles sentiments on the matter, that's all. Ablett Senior did not have the baggage and history against Geelong that players like Hodge and Mitchell have so I also don't think that's a fair comparison. Ablett had played merely a handful of games for the brown and yellow, hardly what I would call an established HFC legend. On the contrary, he's reviled by many at Hawthorn for deserting them and taking his talents all the way down to Geelong.

That"s right, so how good would it be if Hodge or Mitchell ended up at Geelong as well, wouldn't that p1ss them off

 

[santa claws]

Nobody is doubting Chappy's worth as a player, certainly not Geelong supporters who have had the privilege of watching him play for us for over 250 games and know what an out and out champion he is. Non Geelong fans are a different kettle of fish altogether and considering some of their comments suggesting Chappy is a 'front runner' confirms that.

The question is can Chappy's hammies hold up for an entire season? Already I'm hearing he's going to be rested for Round 4, as a precautionary measure I'm guessing and that's the crux of the matter.

Watching Chappy it's very obvious that he's playing within himself, careful not to make any movements that might test those hammies unnecessarily. I'm not sure the match committee at Geelong were willing to include a player on a 'guaranteed' regular basis that is that self aware about the possibility of picking up an injury at any moment during a match and not giving 100% effort (especially on the defensive side) because of that fear.

sheesh if hes playing within himself id really hate to see how good he gets if he extends himself. what utter nonsense.

oh has chappie done a hammie or did he get a knock to his ankle. geelong supporters are looking silly in their attempts to justify cutting chapman loose.

this whole caper is about winning premierships and chapman is still that good that cutting him could well be the difference between winning one and failing.

 

[PenAndPaper]

I can't believe your supporter base is that childish.

Sorry that we don't need a 32yo with dodgy hammies running around for us. Just like your mob didn't need him...

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

...btw the thought of Chapman in Hawks guernsey would make me projectile vomit into my Record. Im very happy with Chapman being the guy we love to hate. In fact this Essendon switch has just confirmed that he is the personification of evil. He couldn't have picked 2 clubs that represent the dark and loathsome elements of society than those two. Im not sure he should be allowed in the suburb of Hawthorn, let alone the club and our colours.

Genuine LOL Love your work!

 

[Big Fozza]

I love chappy. Wish him all the best