EASTERN Ranges wingman Harrison Chapman is hoping to become a leader amongst the group searching for back-to-back Talent League premierships. The National Academy member also has his eyes on a centre bounce transition having spent a week at Hawthorn under the guidance of Will Day, and with advice from former teammates in tow.

We sat down for an interview with Chapman at the recent Talent League preseason testing combine.

PRESEASON Q&A

Q: Harrison, you’ve been part of some high-level programs throughout preseason, how has that been?

HC: Yeah, it’s been awesome. Obviously being around the best kids in Australia, the training’s been awesome. Having the best coaches in Australia, guys like Joel Selwood, just leaning and getting advice off him has been really good. Travelling as well, we got to go to New Zealand which was awesome. So it’s been good fun so far.

Q: Where’d you spend a week during preseason at an AFL club?

HC: I was at Hawthorn That was so cool. I got to be with guys like Will Day, he gave me lots of advice just on midfield craft, which is awesome. And then just being around there, seeing what it’s like being an AFL player for that week was an unreal experience.

Q: What was it like being able to play with so many guys who got drafted last year, and have you been able to keep in touch with them?

HC: One guy I’ve kept in touch with is Oskar Taylor from the Giants. I went to school with him, so we’re pretty close mates. He’s given me lots of advice on how he’s going with his footy… [the main takeaway] has been just having a consistent year of footy. I think just being able to perform in every game and playing consistent footy.

Q: It looks like a pretty stacked team once again at Eastern, being more of a leader now what kind of role will you take on?

HC: Position-wise, a bit of wing and also a bit of midfield which would be good, hopefully stepping up to the midfield this year. And then my role there will just be getting around all the younger boys and hopefully we can go back-to-back this year.

Q: What kind of goals have you set up to achieve along the way?

HC: Obviously having really strong national champs with Vic Metro later in the year, and also those VFL games I get to play through the [National] Academy, having a couple of strong games there. Then just consistent footy throughout the whole year and anything I do, really. And yeah, a premiership would be nice as well.

Q: What are some of your strengths, and also the areas you’re still looking to improve?

HC: I think my inside to outside game is really good, as well as my run-and-carry and my decision making under pressure. The thing I’ve been working on this preseason is my contested ball, so contested ball in the air and on the ground as well.

Q: Do you tend to watch a lot of football?

HC: Yeah, I do. I like to watch certain players. A player I’ve really watched over the last couple of years is Noah Anderson from Gold Coast. I liked to model my game off him, just his running ability and how he goes about his footy.

Q: Do you support a club as well?

HC: I go for Collingwood… Dad goes for the Pies, so I think if we decided to go for anyone else he’d kick us out of the house.

Q: Is there a teammate you think we should look out for to have a big year?

HC: Jordan Knapp, I think he’s in for a big year. He’s had a really good preseason and he looks primed, ready to go.