Fremantle have locked away another of their exciting young defenders for the long term with Heath Chapman extending his contract until the 2027 season.
The three-year extension is on top of Chapman’s existing contract through to the 2024 season.
The West Perth product was Fremantle’s top selection from the 2020 NAB AFL Draft, selected at no.14.
He made his debut in round two in 2021 against GWS but his promising year ended early after sustaining a shoulder injury in a contest during the round seven RAC Derby.
Chapman has played 13 of a possible 20 games so far in 2022, earning coaches votes against GWS (eight), West Coast (four) and North Melbourne (four).
His now famous spoil on the line against Adelaide remains one of the plays for the season, having the skill and composure to prevent a late score from the Crows and preserve Fremantle’s one-point lead for an important round one victory.
“I’m stoked to sign on for an extra three years until the end of 2027,” Chapman said.
“It’s good mentally for a bit of security and frees me up to put my best foot forward and not worry about anything else.
“Fremantle are in a really good spot. There’s some very exciting times to look forward to but we’re focused on the now and will finish off the rest of the season strong.”
Chapman joins good friend Hayden Young as Fremantle’s most committed players with contracts for the next five seasons.
“Youngy and I are really good mates and I’m stoked to be sticking around with him for a little bit longer,” Chapman said.
“We’ve lived together for a few years and pretty much do everything together. He’s very professional, and while he’s only a year older he took me under his wing. We get along well and we’ve done the work together.”
Head of Player Personnel David Walls said it was impressive how crucial Chapman had become for Fremantle after playing just 19 AFL games.
“Heath has very quickly become super important to us. He’s been really key down back with his ability to play tall and small and he’s had a whole range of opponents,” Walls said.
“We have a young backline that we think is going to be together for a long time so we’re rapt to have him signed, extended out and committed to the Club.
“Heath is very aligned and committed with what we’re trying to do, so it was great working with him and Andrew McDougall at Corporate Sports Australia to work through what is a significant deal in a really good fashion.”
Despite having stints on the sidelines due to his shoulder injury in 2021 and hamstring injury in 2022, Walls said the Club had been impressed with how Chapman was able to improve in every area possible while on the sidelines.
“He hasn’t played a huge amount of footy but the professionalism he’s showed getting his shoulder right, he’s been able to have an impact as soon as he returns,” Walls said.
“That attitude and dedication shows he belongs at AFL level and we know he’s going to get better and better each year.”
While Chapman has locked in a spot in the backline, Walls can see the 20-year-old taking on a number of different roles in the future.
“He didn’t play forward a lot as a junior but we think he has the attributes to do that,” Walls said.
“Time in the midfield is also an option both inside and on the wing. He’s still very young, he’s learning the position he’s in and he can lock that down and know it inside out, but in time he’ll be able to go through the midfield, play inside and on the wing no worries as well.”
