Chapman has definitely lost a yard

[iameviljez]

Watching the game from the stands last night, it struck me just how exposed Chappy looked in an open-flowing game. Whilst he was never the quickest player around, he was unable to find space with the ball or lay hands on the North midfielders all game. I really feel that he is slowing down and this has been happening for 12 months or so.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that he's washed up yet. He is still an incredibly valuable player when the game is congested a la 2011 GF. When there was some space, however, the North midfield took him on at every opportunity and cut straight through more often than not.

Father Time catches up with some players faster than others, and, club legend that he is, I think that it has seriously begun to snap at Chappy's heels.

 

[GFC123]

He shouldn't be playing in the midfield anymore, maybe Scott puts him there because of his 'big body' but quick sides are just running away from him and it's to easy.

He should just play as a forward, like the old days.

 

[Senatorguesty]

He shouldn't be playing in the midfield anymore, maybe Scott puts him there because of his 'big body' but quick sides are just running away from him and it's to easy.

He should just play as a forward, like the old days.

BINGO.
Should be a permanent forward now IMO.

 

[iameviljez]

BINGO.
Should be a permanent forward now IMO.

I only agree up to a point. I think he can still play in the centre against the 'slower' sides who tend to congest the middle (think: Collingwood, Freo away from Subi) but against quicker sides (Essendon, North, Carlton) he must be played forward.

I thought that Chappy forward and SJ into the centre was the obvious move from about halfway through the second quarter.

 

[Big Fozza]

unfortunately i have to agree. whack him in the fwd line

 

[PoidaCat]

 

[iameviljez]

I might add that even over the last 12 months - not a knee-jerk reaction to yesterday - the other two remaining members of the Class of 99 are in gradual decline, too. Whilst he still shuts down his opponent, Enright doesn't give the same drive off half back as he did twelve months ago. Now that Corey (Joel) is winning 20 touches a game instead of 25 - 30, his lack of pace or penetration by foot is starting to tell.

 

[catswhiskers]

I might add that even over the last 12 months - not a knee-jerk reaction to yesterday - the other two remaining members of the Class of 99 are in gradual decline, too. Whilst he still shuts down his opponent, Enright doesn't give the same drive off half back as he did twelve months ago. Now that Corey (Joel) is winning 20 touches a game instead of 25 - 30, his lack of pace or penetration by foot is starting to tell.

Enright remember hasn't had the conditioning he would normally have had at this stage. He was good against hawkers and still makes top decisions.

Corey's kicking has been awful to say the least. This leaves him at risk. Hogan might get his chance in Corey's spot sooner rather than later or GHS who looked OK yesterday.

Chappy is an interesting one - he has looked very laboured so far and he is fit. Champions find a way.

 

[Poetic Justice]

I don't want to kick him for the sheer love of him, but I was in the same position. At the game with my old man both of us said on several occasions and that he was lacking big time.

 

[SJ]

He should be used for brief stints as an inside mid to provide grunt and then longer periods as a lead-up half forward/roving forward pocket.

 

[Cursed Cat]

It's sad to see champions in decline, and few have played a bigger part in this era of unparalleled Geelong success as Paul Chapman.

There have undoubtedly been signs that he is in decline, however his sheer pride and heart have willed him to eke out pretty solid results during his past few games.

But the loss to North Melbourne really underlined Chappy's recent shortcomings as a midfielder - he still has a great footy brain, is still tough at the contest and he still generally chooses the right option when he has the ball in his hands.
But, unfortunately, his troublesome groins have hindered him to the point where he is unable to gain a step on opponents, causing his disposal to be more rushed than in the past.
When he does get a kick away, the length of the kicks seem to have been reduced also - he simply doesnt have the power he once did to propel the ball 50+ metres.
Perhaps most damaging to the team is his inability to provide serious pressure on opponents when chasing - it truly is sad to see Chappy labouring after fleet-footed opponents.

When Chapman acknowledged during the off-season that his 2011 form was not up to his own standards, and that he had been training well and expected to play a big part in the 2012 season, I think all Geelong supporters took him at his word.

Unfortunately it may be a case of the spirit being willing but the body not being capable of backing it up.

In one sense, Chapman has been serviceable up until the North Melbourne game, and champions such as he deserve to be cut a little slack.

But sadly I get a sense that he is going down the Cameron Mooney path - hopefully if this is the case he will put his hand up, like Moons did, and admit that he cannot produce the heroics that were once routine for him.

However it plays out, and obviously I am hoping for a Chappy revival, *nothing* can diminish the respect and gratitude he has earned from me and all Geelong supporters over what has been an outstanding career.

 

[fpm84]

He should be used for brief stints as an inside mid to provide grunt and then longer periods as a lead-up half forward/roving forward pocket.

Bingo. Chapman still has a fair bit to offer in the forward line. Christensen was in the forward 50 for a fair bit of yesterday's game and immediately provided a spark when he went into the midfield. I'd be swapping their positions around.

 

[SJ]

It's sad to see champions in decline, and few have played a bigger part in this era of unparalleled Geelong success as Paul Chapman.

There have undoubtedly been signs that he is in decline, however his sheer pride and heart have willed him to eke out pretty solid results during his past few games.

But the loss to North Melbourne really underlined Chappy's recent shortcomings as a midfielder - he still has a great footy brain, is still tough at the contest and he still generally chooses the right option when he has the ball in his hands.
But, unfortunately, his troublesome groins have hindered him to the point where he is unable to gain a step on opponents, causing his disposal to be more rushed than in the past.
When he does get a kick away, the length of the kicks seem to have been reduced also - he simply doesnt have the power he once did to propel the ball 50+ metres.
Perhaps most damaging to the team is his inability to provide serious pressure on opponents when chasing - it truly is sad to see Chappy labouring after fleet-footed opponents.

When Chapman acknowledged during the off-season that his 2011 form was not up to his own standards, and that he had been training well and expected to play a big part in the 2012 season, I think all Geelong supporters took him at his word.

Unfortunately it may be a case of the spirit being willing but the body not being capable of backing it up.

In one sense, Chapman has been serviceable up until the North Melbourne game, and champions such as he deserve to be cut a little slack.

But sadly I get a sense that he is going down the Cameron Mooney path - hopefully if this is the case he will put his hand up, like Moons did, and admit that he cannot produce the heroics that were once routine for him.

However it plays out, and obviously I am hoping for a Chappy revival, *nothing* can diminish the respect and gratitude he has earned from me and all Geelong supporters over what has been an outstanding career.

That is a great post.

 

[candiehappy]

Bingo. Chapman still has a fair bit to offer in the forward line. Christensen was in the forward 50 for a fair bit of yesterday's game and immediately provided a spark when he went into the midfield. I'd be swapping their positions around.

but if he has lost that yard - doesn't playing him in the forward line create the problem of creative backs running off him to set up play?

the modern game isn't forgiving.

 

[Senatorguesty]

The thing with Chappy that most forget is around the 03-05 season him and GAJ were our small forwards and were arguably the best 2 small forwards in the comp. Why cant he do that roll again?
Like others have said maybe against certain sides he can play mid and I have no problem with him being a mid rotation but play him as a forward who goes into the middle not the other way around.
hes a classy goal kicker, how is it a bad thing?
Then you can play someone like Bundy, Duncan etc as midfielders.

Regardless hes been an absolute champion for the club and I think he deserves some slack.
Lets give him 2 months (say round 10 for an even number) and judge him then.

 

[fpm84]

but if he has lost that yard - doesn't playing him in the forward line create the problem of creative backs running off him to set up play?

the modern game isn't forgiving.

Possibly. But we'll at least be best utilising Chappy's best assets - his strength in one on ones, his marking and his accurate goal kicking.

 

[iameviljez]

but if he has lost that yard - doesn't playing him in the forward line create the problem of creative backs running off him to set up play?

the modern game isn't forgiving.

It does, but it won't be as harsh because there's less space inside forward fifty than there is on the wing (especially with our current long-kicking style creating big packs), and because 'the press' in currently in vogue, meaning that there isn't as much space as there used to be for half-back flankers to stream into.

He's not a bad one-on-one mark on other smalls, either. It would also mean that Christensen, SJ and Motlop would need to spend more time on the ball, no bad thing IMO.

 

[kanyewest]

Obviously Chapman has not been at his best for some time. But he's working his backside off and I for one am happy to give him more time to find some form without thinking he is done. Perhaps the body is not what it once was, but that has been said about many players before, and they have responded in time.

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Yup I wrote something about Chappy in the review yesterday.. Still has something to offer so won't discard him yet but needs to stay in the forward line for us as that is where he is most damaging.. And might also Free up SJ sometimes when he is getting outplayed as a medium sized forward.

The only problem though is with Ling gone and Chappy moved forward it is now another big body that we miss in the midfield gone..

 

[Sttew]

It's not the pre-season - Chappy says he had the best preparation for a number of years. It doesn't appear to be injury related. So it must be either age related, or form related. Hopefully its the latter and that Chappy works through the issues.

 

[CatsBack2Back]

I think it has been really brave and honorable the recent cats players that retired have handled themselves very well.
I see no reason that the older players in the team now won't do the same they have played with such integrity and set up a great environment at Kardinia Park.

I agree with others that Chapman might be best placed to play as a permanent forward, applying forward pressure and a bit of toughness down there. I think we are really lacking in this area as it is, Stokes and Byrnes have not provided enough of this and Varcoe out injured.
The aggression in the forward line is something we have missed since Rooke and then Mooney retired.

Enright and Corey still have roles to play in the team this time last year ppl were calling for Ling/Chapman/Enright to retire.
Having another big body in the midfield would be very handy though to help our outside mids.

I know it's a bit early in the season but I wander if Brock Mclean, Brent Moloney or Troy Selwood would be a good addition at the end of the year

 

[The Rusty Clam]

The thing is, It wasn't just Chappy who was saying he would be back to full fitness and at his best. I remember a pre-season report from someone else at the club saying he was burning up the track and looking as fit as ever.

I'm not going to jump to conclusions too soon on any of our older players particularly after the brutal intensity of last weeks game. Everyone wrote off Joel Corey after 2010 and he came back and had a brilliant 2011. I'm not saying Chappy will get back to his best, but I think he's still got a lot of good football left in him this season.

 

[AM]

Chappy was really upbeat before the season opener indicating it was his best pre-season for sometime too.

It’s early days and Chappy does his best work when it counts and where it counts. Still clearly in our best 22 IMO and way too early to discount his worth to the team.

 

[donbooger]

Chappy was fine against Hawks and was kept company by Crowley the week before.

I think the problem here is he can no longer be the champion he used to be and we must be accept it. Our midfield is no longer our greatest strength and we need to keep our quality players there especially due to ling and ottens loss, we dont have the abundance of elites flowing through it like the old days.

Just a poor game from Chapman, something in which he had plenty of company with against North.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

It's a good thread. I do think that Chappy has lost a yard of pace, the evidence was there last year, along with his inability to bend down and turn and have the explosive pace he used to, and the first three games of this year it looks like it may be getting worse. I wonder whether despite all the noises about him having such a good pre season whether his groins are troubling him, generally loss of penetration on the kick is a telltale sign of that and for a guy like Chappy who normally kicks it flat and long I've seen enough 'up and unders' from him lately to think that. Or it may just be an age related slowdown without injury.

Anyway, I do think he's clearly lost a yard and based on what we're seeing it's hard to argue against that. The real question is whether people a) think that means he might be done (i.e. heading down the Mooney path) or b) whether he can adapt and still have a really good last year (if this is to be his last year) as Linga did. I'm in the b) camp but I can respect the concerns that Cursed Cat and others have, we'll have a better idea in 2 months of which one it is.

Either way though, it's good to see most in agreement that Chapman needs to go forward and hopefully the coaches work it out very soon. While I am aware that there's always more open space earlier in the year than later in the year when teams are at their fittest and have developed their defence more, it's clear that against quick sides oppositions will play through his opponent on the spread and exploit his lack of pace. That may still be a concern as a small forward but less so, he's a small forward who plays very tall because he's such a good mark for his height which means he's a hard matchup, and if opposition teams try and run off him he's better placed to damage them on the scoreboard, Chapman's a guy who can kick 4 goals from limited possessions. I suspect if it is to happen Chappy won't make that call on his own because he wants to be in the thick of the action, so hopefully the coach will have a heart to heart with him and give him a defined forward role soon, I think he has a lot to offer us there.