Chaplin to celebrate 150th AFL gameBy MELANIE WHELAN
Ballarat Courier
June 12, 2013, 10:15 p.m.PART of the lure in moving to Punt Road for Troy Chaplin was the chance to play before more big crowds at the MCG.
Chaplin will feel the mighty Tiger army’s roar backing him on Saturday to mark his 150th AFL game.
The Richmond defender and former North Ballarat Rebel said the milestone was nice, but he really had bigger things on his mind in football this week.
He moved to Richmond during last year’s free agency period after nine seasons and 140 games with Port Adelaide, and has worked to add stability to the Tigers’ backlines.
The Tigers, on six wins and four losses, are sitting ninth on percentage, with Saturday’s rival Adelaide close in 10th on the ladder.
Chaplin said the match was really pivotal to keeping the Tigers’ finals hopes alive.
“To be honest, I have not really focused on the milestone. The game in the context of our season is really important.
“The 100s and 200s are a little more important as milestones, but I am still proud to reach 150,” Chaplin told The Courier.
“Every team wants to be playing finals and Richmond is known for perennially just missing out.
“That’s why this game is so important.
“We need to stay ahead of the 50-50 (win-loss) mark.”
Chaplin, aged 27, quickly settled into the yellow-and-black and said it helped that he knew a couple of Tigers from his junior days, including Brett Delidio who he played under-13s alongside in Maryborough and former Vic Country teammate Nathan Foley.
A return to his home state was Chaplin’s key reason to leave the Power.
Chaplin’s family and his wife’s family live in Maryborough – close enough, he said – and Chaplin still likes to visit his old club Maryborough Rovers at least once a season.
He said his time at Port was firmly in the past. His friends still at the club said plenty had changed including the coach – but he felt the Port supporters were just as passionate as Tiger fans.
The move to Tigerland has, in turn, refreshed his own game and kept Chaplin on his toes, changing from being Port’s loose man in defence to a one-on-one role for the Tigers.
“I’m playing a different role and enjoying it and the chance to work with a few of the younger boys at the club in defence,” Chaplin said.
“... I get an opponent now, which is helping Alex Rance and Jake Batchelor in the backlines and add some leadership there.
“There are no guarantees in football, especially as you get older, and it’s great to be out there this week.”
Chaplin’s family and friends will make the trek to the MCG for his milestone match, but he said they all tried to get to more games now he was back in Victoria anyway.
All he hoped was to hear the Tigers’ roar fill the MCG on the final siren – then, maybe, he might reflect a little on his personal achievement.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1569250/chaplin-to-celebrate-150th-afl-game/?cs=63
