CHAPMAN, Paul

Paul Chapman came to Essendon after a stellar career with Geelong where he had played 251 games, including premierships in 2007, 2009 and 2011. He won the Norm Smith Medal in 2009, was All-Australian in 2009 and 2010 and won Geelong's best and fairest award in 2006.

However, his form dropped away in 2013 and he played only eight games then missed Geelong's loss in the Preliminary Final due to suspension. Although he wanted to play on in 2014, he was delisted.

Essendon picked him up very cheaply, trading pick 84 for him in October 2013. He had an immediate impact at his new club, kicking four goals in a win against North Melbourne, scoring his first goal for the Bombers within the first five minutes of the game, making him an instant fan favourite. His enthusiasm, canny goal sense and strong play on the forward line helped develop Essendon's younger players.

He played 20 games in his first season at Essendon and kicked 22 goals, including two in the losing Elimination Final against North Melbourne. He finished ninth in the Best and Fairest Player award.

Injury interrupted his 2015 season and he announced that he would retire after the Club's Round 22 home match against Richmond. At the end of the game he was chaired off the field by his teammates to a standing ovation by the crowd. An extraordinary tribute considering how brief his career at Essendon had been.

Following his retirement, he spent several years as senior coach at Greenvale Football Club.