Thursday featured a ton of player movement around the AFL, headlined by Geelong parting ways with champion Paul Chapman.
The Cats delisted the three-time premiership player and veteran forward James Podsiadly, in an attempt to create more opportunities for some of the club’s emerging youth.
Chapman said the Cats refused to guarantee the 31-year-old any more than eight games in 2014 and he will now look to continue his senior career at another club.
“Playing VFL footy is not how I want to end it either. I’m just looking forward and hopefully I can keep playing footy,” Chapman said after thanking the clubs and the fans at the Geelong best and fairest function earlier this week.
Chapman struggled to find the field last season due to lingering hamstring issues, but showed he is still capable of brilliance; kicking four goals in a star performance in Geelong’s semi-final win over Port Adelaide.
A two-time All-Australian, Chapman played 251 games for the Cats and kicked 336 goals.
Posiadly, recruited in the 2010 rookie draft, played 83 games for the Cats after making his AFL debut at age 28 and will also look to continue his career elsewhere.
Colin Sylvia is leaving the Demons to join grand finalists Fremantle on a three-year deal.
The 10-year veteran met with new Demons coach Paul Roos recently, but opted instead to play under Ross Lyon after meeting with the Dockers.
Lively small forward Eddie Betts is moving from Carlton to Adelaide for a four-year, $2 million contract.
Betts didn’t have great 2013 under new coach Mick Malthouse- something that played into his decision to leave.
“He loves the Carlton footy club, he probably didn’t have his best year this year, but that’s one of the factors that we will certainly take into consideration when we make a decision,” Betts’ manager Ned Guy told SEN.
Finally, Hawthorn senior assistant coach Adam Simpson has been appointed new head coach of the West Coast Eagles.
The 37-year-old beat former Eagle forward Peter Sumich as the replacement of former premiership coach John Worsfold.
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