#25: General Troy Chaplin

[NUFC Tiger]

Stats: Round 22 vs GWS

Kicks: 13
Handballs: 10
Marks: 8 (1 contested)
Tackles: 1
One Percenters: 5
Inside 50s: 1
Rebound 50s: 3
TOG %: 98%

Great win by the boys putting GWS to the sword, running out 121 winners and holding GWS to a mere 42 points. On the day, there were many great individual efforts and Chaplin was again a star performer racking up 23 disposals while going at an impressive 82.6% DE. Chaplin did his thing helping direct traffic down back and providing leadership to the backline. He also helped Rance hold Cameron to 0 goals - the first time anyone has managed to do that this year.

One thing is for sure, if we want to have any impact in finals, we will need our backline to stand up so Troy's finals experience (Port 2007) will be a big help.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

With Chaplin finishing a highly respectable third in our Best and Fairest, that reminded me I haven't finished reports on his last 2 games of the season

Stats: Round 23 vs Essendon

Kicks: 7
Handballs: 7
Marks: 9 (2 contested)
Tackles: 3
One Percenters: 2
Inside 50s: 0
Rebound 50s: 4
TOG %: 100%


Stats: Elimination Final vs Carlton

Kicks: 5
Handballs: 5
Marks: 3
Tackles: 2
One Percenters: 4
Inside 50s: 0
Rebound 50s: 0
TOG %: 100%


Season Averages

Kicks: 8.1
Handballs: 5.9
Marks: 5.9
Tackles: 1.6
One Percenters: 3.6
Inside 50s: 1
Rebound 50s: 2.7

Summary:

All in all, Chaplin had a great first season at Richmond culminating in his third place finish in the Jack Dyer medal. He was talked about as a possible recruit of the season as well as a dark horse for All Australian selection at times. Not a bad effort for a guy who missed most of pre season and was at a new club with new surroundings.

As I said last year and throughout the year, Chaplin's value was never purely being a great key defender but also his leadership, experience, maturity and mentoring particularly of the younger defenders around him. It's almost like having a coach out on the field helping coordinate match ups, structures etc. That is probably a big reason why Dimma and the other coaches quickly embraced him as a leader and senior team member.

Many will say Rance had a great 2013 - especially when you go look at his season after the first few rounds. Last year, Rance was good but at times, he was prone to making mistakes. Some of those mistakes I felt were due to him trying to do too much being the senior defender in the backline. Sometimes it would work out, others, he would get caught out. By recruiting Chaplin, Rance was able to let Chaplin organise things down back while focusing on his own game/opponent - normally the opposition's best forward. Our defence was the third best this season and I think Chaplin's recruitment was a big reason for that. Imagine what he might be able to do with a full preseason and having settled into the team with his new teammates?

Hats off to Blair Hartley for another great pick up and hats off to Chaplin on a great first season in yellow and black. Hope it is the first of many to come as we march up the ladder

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Just to validate the impact Troy has had at the club bringing leadership to the backline and around the wider team, he has been voted into the leadership group for 2014!

“Troy Chaplin’s inclusion in the leadership group highlights the impact he has had on the group in a short period of time, and is a reflection of his strong character, and qualities as a person, which were things we identified when we recruited him to the Club."

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2014-02-11/tigers-confirm-2014-leadership-group

 

[TJTIGER]

I was always in support of our going after Troy.... Just great to see his move has worked out very well for him and the RFC. Hopefully he continues to mentor our backs (and others), in providing a great example on and off field. Congratulations to all those at the club for going after Troy... Go Tiges !!

 

[RichoLedio]

Another feather in Hartley's overfeathered cap

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Another feather in Hartley's overfeathered cap

Hartley will probably look like this bloke by the time he finishes with us!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

For 2014, I can see Chaplin continuing more in the role as a backline leader, helping to organise the players and structures how the coaches want.

With Astbury impressing a bit this preseason, I get the impression the coaches like him as a shut down defender for the big monster forwards. That would be good for Chaplin (who is also a handy shut down defender) who can then focus on making sure others are picking up players/covering space as needed.

Rance is a great rebounder - easily the best of the 3 (Chaplin, Astbury and Rance) and has the best movement and ball use - it looks like we could see him playing more at CHB where he can help drive the team forward and play more rebounding footy without risk of getting caught out (as Astbury and Chaplin will likely hang back).

With Grimes still to come back into the mix, we really are starting to get spoilt for choice in the KPD stocks!

 

[Squibbs]

Congratulations to Troy, a great effort. Can be seriously underrated at times, and is often seen as a whipping boy by many. But the truth is, our backline wouldn't be what it is today without him. When he was out injured in round 4, Melbourne won convincingly against us. I'm really really happy with him in Richmond colours, hopefully the boys can get up for him this weekend with a big win.

 

[Darth_Tiger]

Well done Chappy, you've been a great servant of the RFC since choosing to come over. Congrats on the big 200.

 

[tiggywigs]

I rate him, but he can be frustrating to watch at times.
Can go missing in the body-on-body contests, but at the same time is a very good relieving/intercept mark.
Agree that he has played a big part in the development of our back six.

 

[WATiger86]

As long as he isn't under a high ball one on one I rate him highly. As many have said he has been crucial in the development of our back 6 (7). Congrats on 200 Troy!

 

[sante]

Congrats on the 200 Chappy!

Hopefully we get a win for him.

 

[SpudsLoveChild]

Congrats Chappy.

He's been a good get for the club. I don't know exactly what he's done while at the club, but I know our back six has gone from leaking like a sieve to elite during his tenure.

 

[Stevi_Tigers]

chappy has been invaluable to our side with out him tross wouldn't be the player he is today.well done on 200 games troy when we beat freo I think we should invade the port board with chappy gifs

 

[leemo]

Anyone who makes it on an AFL list has talent. Playing one game is an achievement that many don't reach. Playing 100 is always a decent player, and anyone who calls someone who reaches 200 a "spud" or similar is really uncalled for.
Nobody reaches 200 without being a good player and having a role in the side.

Yes he has his shortcomings but overall our back 6 looks a lot better with him in it, provides lots of talk and leadership, Rance wouldn't be as effective without him in the team.
Hope he has a great game on Saturday

 

[ize_]

Reckon he is actually a really good contested mark. We see him outmark forwards fairly regularly when he's in front. He's just not quite as good at spoiling in the contest which is why he gets a reputation as being poor one on one.

He's been a great contributor since joining our list. Way more important to us than he often gets credit for.

 

[Achilles Heel]

Hmmm milestone game, hope we don't spoil the party again

 

[bigange]

As much as I give him a roasting, he is actually very important to our structure.

Every team has players like Troy, rated very highly internally, not always by the fans, pundits etc.

Congrats on the 200. Great achievement.

 

[RichoLedio]

Poor old Chappy isn't getting enough love in here, well done on 200 games and hope you have another 50+ in ya

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Absolutely fantastic since joining for us. Came across when we really lacked experienced defenders (probably only Newy) and has helped coach/mentor the younger defenders (Rance, Grimes, Batchelor, Vlastuin, Astbury and Elton). Very good leader and adept at organising the backline. Rarely has big bags kicked on him by his direct opponent and plays his role in an improving and stubborn backline.

 

[Helen Wheels]

No higher honour than having the respect of your peers and he's got that in spades. An elite member of an elite backline. Congrats Chappy.

 

[TJTIGER]

Looking at the footage of Troy, he's a bit under rated by some.....

Congratulations Troy.....

 

[Capitano_Cotch]

Congrats Troy.
Hoping the boys can get up for him on Saturday.
Huge game in the context of the season.

 

[Kapital city TIGER]

Cmon Tigers, we've excelled in spoiling milestones this year lets smash those bastiches, tear em a new one, EAT em ALIVE!........

 

[partycorolla]

Big aeroplane celebration as he joins the party and kicks a ripper running through 50 metres 15 mins into the last to put us 44 points clear....

I'd still be nervous!