Paul Chapman

Paul Chapman is a retired player most recently playing for Essendon.

Paul Chapman (born 5 November 1981) is an Australian rules football player for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

After playing reserves top up games with Melbourne in 1999, Chapman was drafted and debuted with the Cats in 2000.

Chapman was recruited to the Geelong Football Club originating from North Coburg FC which merged with Fawkner Park FC to become Northern Saints Football Club in the EDFL, where he has made a name for himself as one of the most dangerous small forwards in the AFL. In late 2005 he suffered a setback with a hamstring injury and missed the finals series. In 2006, Chapman was the proud recipient of the Carji Greeves Medal, polling 462 votes, ahead of Jimmy Bartel (383) and Gary Ablett, Jr. (371). Chapman has been a member of Geelong's premiership teams in 2007, 2009 and 2011, winning the Norm Smith Medal in the 2009 Grand Final. He was also a member of the 2009, 2010 All Australian team.

Chapman played his 200th AFL game in round 2, 2011, as Geelong defeated Fremantle by 11 points at Patersons Stadium.

Chapman was assaulted by a man at the Cremorne Hotel in Geelong on 8 March 2008. The man threw coins in Chapman's face, and when Chapman defended himself, threatened him with an umbrella. Police were called to the scene, and no charges were laid, although Chapman did consider legal options. Paul Chapman's mother, Paula Chapman currently teaches in a local public school in the suburb of Gladstone Park. Chapman visits this school to inspire young troubled children living on the streets.