AFL Draft Watch: Heath Chapman (West Perth/Western Australia)
IN the build up to football eventually returning, Draft Central takes a look at some of this year’s brightest names who have already represented their state in some capacity leading into 2020. While plenty can change between now and then, we will provide a bit of an insight into players, how they performed at pre-season testing, and some of our scouting notes on them from last year.
Next under the microscope in our AFL Draft watch is West Perth’s Heath Chapman, an athletic key defender who boasts high-level composure on the ball. Having earned a spot in his state’s Under 16 side in 2018, Chapman went on to impress at WAFL Colts level for the Falcons, before being selected to play in the Under 17 Futures All Star showcase.
He may measure up at just under the traditional key position size, but Chapman is terrific in the centre half-back role at junior level, and has all the makings of a third tall as he jumps the grades, perhaps even roaming further afield. The 18-year-old’s endurance base and class on the ball may allow for that, with shrewd reading of the play and sound disposal by foot also key features of his game.
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PLAYER PAGE:
Heath Chapman
West Perth/Western Australia
DOB: January 31, 2002
Height: 193cm
Weight: 81kg
Position: Key Position Defender
Strengths: Reading the play, marking, athleticism, composure
2020 WAFL Colts stats: 1 game | 15 disposals (11 kicks/4 handballs) | 4 marks | 6 tackles
>> 2020 AFL Draft Positional Analysis: Key Position Defenders
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PRESEASON TESTING RESULTS:
Standing Vertical Jump – 63cm
Running Vertical Jump (R/L) – N/A/73cm
Speed (20m) – 3.03 seconds
Agility – 8.69 seconds
Endurance (Yo-yo) – 21.6
>> Full Testing Results:
Jumps
20m Sprint
Agility
Yo-yo
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2019 SCOUTING NOTES:
By: Ed Pascoe
The talented Chapman has had a strong year for his club West Perth and playing as a tall defender for Team Dal Santo, he did some nice things – especially late in the game. Chapman had a good couple of minutes, taking a strong intercept mark before the ball came back in once again where he span out of trouble, showing his athleticism.
WAFL Colts Preliminary Final vs. Claremont
By: Lenny Fogliani
After being announced as one of the eight WA players to play in the AFL U17s All Stars game, Chapman showed why he is such a highly rated prospect for next year. He collected 13 possessions, took two marks and laid two tackles, often mopping up in defence. When under significant duress, Chapman was always composed and made sound decisions with ball in hand.
By: Lenny Fogliani
A bottom-age prospect, Chapman did his draft chances for 2020 no harm with a classy performance against the Sharks. Playing on the half-back line, Chapman gathered 21 possessions, took seven marks and laid three tackles to be a pivotal player in the Falcons’ victory.
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Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos
>> 2020 Western Australia U18s Squad Prediction
>> July 2020 Power Rankings
>> CATCH UP ON OUR DRAFT WATCH SERIES
Allies:
Tahj Abberley
Jackson Callow
Braeden Campbell
Alex Davies
Oliver Davis
Errol Gulden
South Australia:
Kaine Baldwin
Bailey Chamberlain
Corey Durdin
Luke Edwards
Lachlan Jones
Taj Schofield
Riley Thilthorpe
Vic Country:
Sam Berry
Tanner Bruhn
Jack Ginnivan
Elijah Hollands
Zach Reid
Nick Stevens
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Vic Metro:
Jackson Cardillo
Nikolas Cox
Connor Downie
Eddie Ford
Bailey Laurie
Finlay Macrae
Reef McInnes
Archie Perkins
Will Phillips
Western Australia:
Denver Grainger-Barras
Logan McDonald
Nathan O’Driscoll
Brandon Walker
Joel Western
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