Veteran tall defender Troy Chaplin had tackled many tough tasks throughout his 13 seasons of league football at both Richmond and Port Adelaide . . . primarily, trying to combat the competition’s best big forwards.
They were challenges Chaplin thrived on and, most times, he was able to gain the upper-hand in those contests.
Nothing, however, prepared Chaplin for the daunting assignment of fronting the Richmond playing group, coaches and football staff, in the ‘GR Room’ at the Club’s Punt Road headquarters early Tuesday afternoon, to advise them of his decision to retire as a player from AFL football.
A mere 10 seconds in, Chaplin felt his emotions bubbling over . . .
“Unfortunately, I’ve got to give it away. The body’s just not been able to handle it as well as what I would have liked this year and, as a result, my form’s dropped off a fair bit, Chaplin said.
“It’s probably a fair time to be able to walk away, still in pretty good nick.
“Mentally, I’m still there, but unfortunately the body just can’t will itself to do it anymore . . .
“Probably the last month, training-wise, it’s really taken a toll – Tuesdays, Thursdays – just can’t get up for it like I used to be able to.
“I’d love to be able to go around again, and there’s going to be no doubt over the next six or seven weeks, mentally I’m going to be asking myself, why am I doing this right now? But I’m at ease . . . It’s probably been on my mind for a little while.”
Chaplin regards the time he’s spent at Tigerland as an absolute honour and privilege . . .
“To have the opportunity to come over here, and spend the last four years with this group of guys and people in the room . . . (I’m) very, very fortunate,” he said.
“This last four years, it feels like I’ve played my whole career at this footy club. It’s just such a fantastic club.
“We’ve got a great supporter base and, to get to play on the home of footy (the MCG), week in, week out, is something that I certainly haven’t taken for granted.”
Coaching is the next chapter in Chaplin’s football career.
“That’s the road I want to go down,” he said.
“I’m going to finish training and playing, but I’m going to be entrenched in the (Club’s) coaching program the next six or seven weeks . . .”
