RETIRED Richmond defender Troy Chaplin will make his senior coaching debut this weekend.
The 30-year-old, who called time on a 215 AFL game career for the Tigers and Port Adelaide last week, will take the reigns of the Oakleigh Chargers in their TAC Cup clash with the Northern Knights at Preston this Sunday.
Chaplin has been a specialist coach with the Chargers, who have won the past two flags, for two years.
He will plan and take training tomorrow and Thursday night at Warrawee Park.
Chargers coach Mick Stinear said Chaplin had made a profound impact on the squad.
“Because he’s been living and breathing footy every day, the biggest thing has been the technical side of his coaching,’’ he said.
“He’s learned a lot off Choco (Mark) Williams at Richmond and has been able to bring that to our young guys, working in small groups, one-on-ones and breaking down the key position roles, how to use your body as a defender or forward, leading patterns and that’s been his strength with his coaching.
“As a person we’ve had a few players do bits and pieces over the years but Troy’s buy-in has been outstanding. From his first night at training, learning all the players names and remembering them the next night, all those little things have been terrific and he’s always made the players feel really valued.
“He doesn’t get a penny from us, he’s put in an enormous amount of time.”
Stinear expects Chaplin to be in a full time coaching role next year.
“I think as a development coach initially Troy’s got a lot to offer and can relate to the players really well, the demands of the game and what’s required,’’ he said.
“His knowledge of the opposition as well is still really strong, I’m not sure what’s happening at Richmond, but I would’ve thought 17 other clubs would be keen to get a hold of him because he’d be so valuable.
“He’s definitely got the skills to be a senior coach.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/retired-richmond-player-troy-chaplin-to-make-coaching-debut-at-oakleigh-chargers/news-story/cf761f23c50103008c73f1d54c09e521
