Chapman

[bobbycatsfanme]

averaged 456 disposals per year since his debut until 2005 and from 2006 till the present (if he remains uninjured) will surpass 500 possies given his exceptional start to the 2011 season. It's not unusual for players to continually improve as the years roll by but Chappy's rise from a potential superstar to today's best small forward in the AFL is really quite awesome. He's 29 years of age but has that compacted-robust type of physique that could easily have him playing until he's 34 years of age. I know it's still little early in his career but he's starting to really relish the 'big game' label his peers and commentators have stamped him with. Exceptionally good over head and a monster kick of the footy when outside the 50, is this guy a better overall football player than Gary Ablett junior whom many rated as close to his father as any other player that has worn the Geelong guernsey? I reckon it's too tough to judge but Chappy's only issue is not enough goals are kicked but the amount of minutes he does spend in the midfield it's not that surprising.

I think as footy fans we are pretty blessed to be witnessing this guys career unfold in the manor it has been in recent years and it's not out of the realms of possibility that by the time the door closes on his awesome career perhaps we may very well have him rated near the great man himself (no.5 of course), because his ability to impact a game in a short period of time is right up there with any other top 5 player in the game today 'Chappy, what a bloody player!'

 

[JSelwoodisKing]

Re: Chappy

Great Post! Chappy is an out and out champion, very early to compare him to Ablett Snr but at the moment with Bartel, Selwood and many others they are showing what we all knew; that Ablett Jnr is not the reason we won 2 out of 3 flags but only 1 part of it. So excited about what the Cats are showing at the moment and can't wait to see what the boys have to offer for the rest of the season.

Keep it up boys!!

 

[Roadie]

Re: Chappy

We'd be nowhere without Chappy. I think when we look back after his career is over he'll be viewed as one of the most influential Geelong players of all time, on and off the field. Champion.

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

Re: Chappy

Menzel, Duncan, Brown (will be a player), Hawkins, Christensen, Hunt, Taylor, Selwood, Guthrie, Hogan, Benny-J, Motlop, Simpson, Smedts, West and Varcoe is a pretty exciting future of youngsters we have in right now & awaiting their chance to play

 

[My5t3r10u5]

Re: Chappy

Menzel, Duncan, Brown (will be a player), Hawkins, Christensen, Hunt, Taylor, Selwood, Guthrie, Hogan, Benny-J, Motlop, Simpson, Smedts, West and Varcoe is a pretty exciting future of youngsters we have in right now & awaiting their chance to play

While I agree our future is exciting Bobby, I think you are getting a bit carried away - Hogan seems to have been passed by, don't think Ben Johnson has shown enough, West looks like he is a possible but unlikely to be a gun, and Smedts hasn't even made an appearance for the Magoos yet. Also, too early to call on Guthrie and Simpson still needs further development.

On the flip side, you forgot Vardy, who Chris Scott gave a big wrap to pre-season and sounds like he will be pushing for a game sooner rather than later.

A lot to look forward to... the future is bright...

 

[ZosoCat]

chappy rises to the occasion in the big games at the MCG... such a vital player for us. I dare say has been our most important player since 2007. Wil surely be capped with a B&F and AA this year. Lucky to be playing the hoops for sure.

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

Re: Chappy

While I agree our future is exciting Bobby, I think you are getting a bit carried away - Hogan seems to have been passed by, don't think Ben Johnson has shown enough, West looks like he is a possible but unlikely to be a gun, and Smedts hasn't even made an appearance for the Magoos yet. Also, too early to call on Guthrie and Simpson still needs further development.

On the flip side, you forgot Vardy, who Chris Scott gave a big wrap to pre-season and sounds like he will be pushing for a game sooner rather than later.

A lot to look forward to... the future is bright...

agree, am getting little carried away but if our recruitment in recent years is anything to go by then I reckon odds on up and coming champions would have to be better than even money odds.
In today's game in that 3rd quarter, I saw a Geelong team that was like no other we have seen for quite a few years now and it was so inspirational given the opposition that you can only assume this is what we will be seeing more and more with greater consistency as the game plan and players hit peak performance later in the year. May have only been 7 minutes but we matched anything Collingwood has produced recently

 

[G0d_]

Re: Chappy

Chappy was the tallest man on the field.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Chappy and Bartel are my favorite players.

And all the others.

Is he as good as Ablett? Not quite skill wise, but more often than not, he is more effective.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Heart and soul of the team - big time player who arguably should have 2 Norm Smiths.
Rated massively by opposition supporters , integral part of our winning culture.
Just love the guy.

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

Heart and soul of the team - big time player who arguably should have 2 Norm Smiths.
Rated massively by opposition supporters , integral part of our winning culture.
Just love the guy.

whenever I talk footy to other fans etc, I always hear this sentence from them and when opposition supporters say it then you know he's got something pretty special going on

 

[Copernicus]

How good was he yesterday? Clear BOG for mine. His two long bombs were absolutely pivotal in keeping us in it while we were struggling a bit in the first half. And that balk and goal was just class. If he weren't an angry little nude nut I think people would view him every bit the same as Judd- in fact, his finishing is a class above and I would rate him better in the air, especially for his size.

There's a not a footy fan around who doesn't love 'the way he goes about it'.

 

[BrisWesty]

He's not tall, but man can he time his leap. There were a couple of pearlers yesterday vs the Hawks with a player bearing down on him.

Tough as nails.

I'd just about name my next kid after him (even if it's a girl)!

 

[Archangel]

Why does he not have a bronzed statue yet

 

[Turbocat]

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/04/29/255611_gfc.html

This an excellent article on Chappy.

He is our GOTO man. I believe you need two attributes to be a goto guy.

1, First you need the underlying natural talent and skill groomed into a sportsman.
Talent is god given but skill is what has been developed. Chappy has both , he has that beautiful blend of natural football talent and correctly developed into football skills. For instance nobody has perfect technique but Chappy's kicking is close to my eyes kick. He is relaxed over the ball , he doesn't grip it like he want to squash a lemon, he holds it like a dove , firm but not stressed. When set he doesn't hover he goes. He doesn't run perfectly straight at the target , veering slightly to the right but this allows him to drive his leg thru the ball. And he does the same thing again and again. This group of fundamentals allows him to reproduce and reproduce , its this technique that has built his baseline confidence in his own ability which leads me to 2

2, to be the man I truly believe you must have "1" more often than not. Its this talent and skill developed which allows the "give me the ball" attitude to be developed.But the skill alone doesn't automatically mean you want to be a situation player . One needs an inner spur , one needs that bit that is happy to standout , one that can live with lose but not live with not trying. He must be supremely competitive and he probably hates losing more than he loves winning. Plenty of people are good at training or when the pressure is off. Some like to minimze it but I feel the best , the players who rarely let you down on the big stage are the ones who enjoy the spotlight.


Chappy is a Champion , in the true sense of the word. He carry's the banner for all of us . He will go down as one of our best players ever and its been an honor to see him play in the hoops

 

[The Gee Spot]

One word. “Chappy-ion”

 

[Brasil2007]

Paul Chapman is the best big game player in the competition. One Norm Smith and was many people's choice for the 2007 as well.

 

[David the Cat]

I said it before ..somewhere ....but in my mind, he's the best player we have had since Abeltt Snr...yes Scarlo, Ablett Jnr and Bartel are right up there, but for me Chappy has it all...on and off the field.

I thought it was interesting to see the thread on the main board on Chapman....universal regard...

Absolute champion player...and like it was said above...a privilege to see him play.

 

[Claude Balls]

Scarlett for me Dave, from this great era - he has been our best AND most important player since becoming elite in 2002.

Chappy a close second though.

 

[David the Cat]

Scarlett for me Dave, from this great era - he has been our best AND most important player since becoming elite in 2002.

Chappy a close second though.

Like sapphires and emeralds Claude.

Both precious.

Hard to argue given Scarlett's record....they both put on a show for us last Tuesday...

 

[Rabbitpig]

Hope you don't mind me posting on your board?. But Chappy strikes fear into opposition supportors bigtime. He doesn't shirk a contest, he goes in so hard, his hands are clean, his nuggety core strength lets him break free of tackles time and time again!! His marking for someone his size is amazing, as is his ability to read the play, edge opposition players out, and somehow he just ends up in dangerous positions in the forward fifty after being on the wing, half backline seconds earlier. Courage, footy smarts, determination...the whole package. Maybe a tad under-rated as I'd put him up there with Ablett, Bartel, Selwood etc as greats of the current Geelong dynasty (which has a few years left to run). Anywayz, always enjoy watching you guys play, best of luck and all that, and appreciate Chappy while you can....champion of the game.

 

[Kim Chambers]

Hope you don't mind me posting on your board?. But Chappy strikes fear into opposition supportors bigtime. He doesn't shirk a contest, he goes in so hard, his hands are clean, his nuggety core strength lets him break free of tackles time and time again!! His marking for someone his size is amazing, as is his ability to read the play, edge opposition players out, and somehow he just ends up in dangerous positions in the forward fifty after being on the wing, half backline seconds earlier. Courage, footy smarts, determination...the whole package. Maybe a tad under-rated as I'd put him up there with Ablett, Bartel, Selwood etc as greats of the current Geelong dynasty (which has a few years left to run). Anywayz, always enjoy watching you guys play, best of luck and all that, and appreciate Chappy while you can....champion of the game.

He's an Aussie from Coburg and that's rare. It's no wonder he's a tough and annoying little bastard.

 

[The rabbi]

He's an Aussie from Coburg and that's rare. It's no wonder he's a tough and annoying little bastard.

I used to meet quite a few Aussies in Coburg on a regular basis.

But unfortunately those bluestone buildings have been demolished.

 

[GoCattas]

Injury: Chapman (Hamstring 4-6 weeks)

Is that not your worst nightmare?

 

[Scottland2007]

Heart and soul of the team - big time player who arguably should have 2 Norm Smiths.
Rated massively by opposition supporters , integral part of our winning culture.
Just love the guy.

My father in law follows Essendon and refers to Chappy as "that little bastard". He must be doing something right.