farewell Wade Chapman

[Bloodstained Angel]

Wade Chapman has announced his retirement from AFL football today after a truly heartbreaking run of injuries that have kept out of the game for 3 years.

Alot of you wouldn't know him but for fans of the Red and White he remains forever one of our favourite sons, not just because of his exploits in 1996 but because his whole approach to the game typified the grit and fearless determination that characterises all the many, many champions of the game who have pulled on the Red and White jumper over the years

Farewell and good luck 'Chappers' you will be sorely missed.

 

[sandie]

BSA

When I saw the title of your post I was wondering who he was, did he play many games for you & what position. How old is he.

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Mantis

 

[Don]

Chappy was a genuine centreman courage, probably the best kick of a footy I have seen.

After the 96 Prelim final Eade said "he can make Strawberry jam from Sh1t" and he certainly could.

Sadly injury wiped out his career at just 20.

Tragically missed by Swans supporters.

Ever want to see what can be done by a potential champion just watch the last 2 minutes of the 96 Prelim.

Go Chappy

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Don has said it already above sandie

I'll add a few details :

51 games for Sydney 1994-1999, but only 3 since 1997, a chronic groin injury has kept him out for the last three years.

We kept him on the list inspite of all that because of the high regard we had for him as a truly fearless competitor, either in the centre or in a forward pocket, his courage around the packs, clever disposal and hard running was a stand-out feature of our stand-out year of 1996.

Sadly we couldn't go on with him and he was delisted at the end of last year, only to be picked by Port Adelaide.

Chappers was still carrying his chronic injury and never got close to senior selection for the Power this year.

Sandie, as Don suggested check out the last 2 minutes of the 1996 Prelim Final. Chapman kicked the goal to level the scores, then, with 15 seconds remaining, calmly took a gutsy contested mark on the half forward flank and then hit Locketts chest with a precision pass. The rest, as they say, is history.

And he was concussed for all the second half of that game as well, just a small sample of what an out-and-out champion Wade really was.

 

[sandie]

That's why I couldn't remember him.
I have completely obliterated all memories of that game.
I was only 5 minutes away from being given a free trip to Melbourne for the GF, if we won.
F&#@*

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Mantis

 

[tim]

Tiny correction - it was Cresswell who kicked the goal to level the scores in the 96 prelim but Chappy was one of the players who inspired the revival at the end of the first quarter when it looked like Essendon would run over the top of the Swans. His fundamental problem seemed to me to be his complete absence of fear and understanding of personal injury. He deserved better with injuries.

 

[Don]

Yeah from memory he passed to Lockett who passed to Cresswell.

Love James Hird too, we would never have won that game if he hadn't left his man Dale Lewis with 2 minutes to go in a Prelim final.

Onya Hirdy!!