23 June 2001 Let's look at the great drivers from the golden age of US NASCAR. Winners like Junior Johnson and Richard Petty and Donnie Allison and Benny Parsons and Bobby Isaac and Cale Yarborough. Guys that had the pedal to the metal and the foot through the firewall. One footballer whose career started at full speed but hit the wall in later years was Nathan Chapman.
A junior champion with Kangaroo Flat in the Bendigo League. Brisbane won the race to draft NC with 1992 national draft pick 2. Second only to Drew Banfield. The Queensland club gave their exciting import the number 5 guernsey previously worn by Brad Hardie and Rod Owen. Chappie was 188 centimetres and 78 kilograms, a wiry physique similar to Michael Tuck.
The Brisbane youngster was thrown into the deep end during his debut season. Because he could play tall Nathan held down full back lining up against heavyweight full forwards such as 'Plugger' and Dunstall and Ablett. The Chap often backed his judgement and ran down the ground to supply goals or sometimes score them himself. For instance 1993 round 2 v. Richmond under lights at the MCG. Chapman followed his opponent the young Matthew Richardson downfield in the last quarter. He intercepted a pass intended for Knights, had the awareness to know exactly where Tiger tacklers were and ran on to score a great goal from 45. Ten minutes later the final siren blew. Unhappily Brizzy down the dustpipe 11.14 to 18.18.
Round 11. Pitted with the Saints at Icicle Park. The N man had his work cut out with Lockett who had six goals by half time. A huge hail storm in the third quarter prevented a range of skills for everyone except 'Plugger'. He continued on his merry way. Chapman was moved forward. Instant results. Despite blinding hail he showed clean hands. Read the ball off the pack early in the third and running towards the dead pocket snapped the ball over his left shoulder. If you'd been able to see the goal umpire he signalled a goal. Ten minutes later Chapman took a courageous mark and kicked truly from 40. Lockett's eleven goals propelled St Kilda to a commanding win.
Natho had powered through his first season. 20 games. Smooth skills in 1993. 1994 was something of a struggle. He suffered physical break downs and found it hard to get to the line. Number 5 achieved some consistency through 1995. The round 19 game against Carlton at Optus. Brisbane got the jump and had three majors on the board in the first 10 minutes. At half forward Chapman puma'd a long straight goal on the stroke of half time. His immaculate foot passes set up easy majors for Lappin and Roger. The Northerners unlucky. Lost 10.11 to 11.19.
Injuries robbed Chapo of his best years as a footballer. Like the legendary NASCAR driver the late 'Fireball' Roberts he hit the proverbial wall.
Enter Hawthorn. In 1997 the brown and yellows traded Brad Scott and draft pick 51 to nab the experienced 22 year old that had 60 games under his belt. He took over the famous number 1 jumper made famous by 'Killer' Caine and Ken Judge and Ray Jencke. Round 18 1997.
Hawks versus Lions at the Gabba. Starting on the forward line Chapman kicked a gutsy goal in garbage time of the last quarter. Got whacked as the ball sailed through the big whites. Hawthorn had no answer to Bradshaw's nine goals. The Linda Crescenters a severe loss 11.5 to 21.15. NC kicked a nice full pointer under piston pressure during the 1998 round three loss to Richmond. Then a succession of injuries occurred. He made his way playing competent footy at full back in the VFL. Nathan Chapman was delisted at the end of 2000. 13 games in four seasons with the Hawks. A guy that did a lot of laps at top pace. And survived.