Monash Blue makes history with his 300th game

This weekend SHANE CHAPMAN becomes the first Monash Blue to play 300 games for the club.

Chapman’s journey with the Blues began in 2001 when he first arrived at Monash University to study Commerce.

“They signed me straight up at O-Week,” he recalls with a laugh.

“I grew up in Endeavour Hills and played junior footy there and then a little bit at Doveton. And when I first walked into the club as an 18 year-old, I was immediately struck by the words of club legend Keith Frearson – ‘Whenever you step in here, you’re one of us.’ Those words have stuck with me ever since.”

That feeling of belonging has never left Chapman and he’s always been keen to share it with others.

“Being a Uni club, a lot of players come down from the country and are looking for somewhere to have a kick. The club becomes like a second family. Everyone looks out for each other. Everyone is there for each other. It’s really about mateship and we’re very inclusive. Everyone’s welcome.”

Shane’s warm approach didn’t necessarily extend to his opponents though!

“I started in the Seniors as one of those ‘piss your opponent off’ back pocket types! One of those real annoying guys that no-one wanted to play on,” he laughs.

“I played some Under 19s too. I played as a midfielder in the 2002 flag and after my first few years thought ‘How good’s this?’ I played in an Under 19 flag in my second year, then a Senior Flag in my third year… then had to wait another 15 years to play in another flag as captain-coach of the Thirds!”

The significance of being the first to play 300 games for the club isn’t lost on him.

“I’ve played with a lot of players and plenty have played a lot of games there. Andrew Hickey, who was the previous games record-holder, started at the same time as me and he’s been retired for six or seven years!

“To be able to play 300 games at one club is amazing and a huge credit to all the people who have helped around the club all those years. It’s an absolutely fantastic club – all based on volunteers. It’s really thriving and a great place to be. I’d highly recommend Monash Blues to anyone looking for a club.

“It’s been fantastic to win the premierships and get to play with some really good players, which was good fun. But the reason you stay at a footy club so long is the mates you make on the journey and all the people involved. All the camps, trainings, footy trips. They’re the memories you love the most.”

Shane’s perspective on his footy has evolved as he’s matured.

“When you’re young all that matters are wins and losses, but I’m 41 now so my body wouldn’t be able to cope with busting my ass every week,” he laughs. “So just being able to get out there and have a kick with a few mates – it’s about enjoying yourself.

“You’re going to have some good years and some really tough years. It’s through those tough years that you build those bonds and relationships with teammates. Last week we got smashed by 140 points and I still had fun!”

Shane’s football journey added an extra dimension when he took up coaching, albeit not by choice to begin with.

“I was about 30 or so and had a couple of bad years with injuries. I remember getting a call from the senior coach and I was ready to tell him about how I was getting super fit to play my role next season, but the conversation went a completely different way. ‘We need a coach for the Clubbies side and we think you’d be a good fit!’

“I actually enjoyed it straight away and I probably always saw myself staying involved in some manner. Going into coaching has inspired me to keep playing.

“Playing in the Thirds comp has also meant I’ve been able to teach players who have never played before & show them how much fun it can be. It’s been good to see players I’ve coached become coaches themselves.”

“In many ways Shane ‘Muncha’ Chapman is the ideal team-mate,” said club President, Andrew Headberry.

“On the ground, he is a fierce and unyielding competitor. Playing most of his senior footy in the backline at Monash Blues, he was quick and tough and hard to play against. In later years he excelled on the ball and as a small forward with a nice bag of tricks.

“Off the ground, he celebrated hard and had fun with his teammates. At a club that really knows how to celebrate a win, Shane was a stand-out, often with his brother “Nibbler” right in the action.

“300 games is a magnificent achievement at any time – over 20 years of footy is immense. To do this at a Uni club is almost unheard of. The entire Monash Blues community and the wider footy family sends love and best wishes to Shane on this magnificent milestone.”

Shane’s Monash journey has been a family affair. He played a lot of footy with his brother Michael, known around the club as ‘Nibbler.’

“He arrived a couple of years later and got the nickname because of mine,” says Shane with a chuckle.

“He probably played 180 or 190 games and once I started coaching, we played a lot of Thirds together. He was a coach’s nightmare. He’d be happy to have 30 touches and kick 3 while his opponent would have 50 and kick 5! And then he’d rack up B&F votes! He wouldn’t have won the Coaches’ Award!!”

Shane’s wife Sarah is just as committed to and passionate about the Blues as he is.

“Somehow I managed to convince her to pull on the boots when the VAFA Women’s comp started, so I’ve also been involved with that from the start. After COVID they needed a Reserves coach, then the following year a Senior Coach and this is my third year in the Senior Coaching role.

“Last season we won the Premier B flag and got promoted to Premier Women’s. We don’t have any players with AFLW experience and we have lots of first and second year players. I really enjoy helping them and all the players who didn’t have the opportunity to play footy when they were growing up.”

“Shane is widely respected and admired for his care and teaching skills as a coach,” said Headberry.

So how does he balance playing in one comp and coaching in another?

“Coaching always takes priority. If the fixture allows me to do both, I’ll also have a kick as well. Often the Thirds play at 9am and the Women’s Seniors is at 2pm.

“Sarah was going to retire a couple of years ago and I convinced her to play again last year and we ended up winning the flag. I thought that might have been it – we finally got rewarded for all the hard work and she might hang them up. But she is only a handful of games away from playing 100 games herself, so she went around again this year.

“To start a family, we’d both need to step away from footy. Every year we talk about it and every year we go again! I just love playing footy and being around people who have supported me for so long and allow me to go out for a few hours on a Saturday and do what I love.

“I’d love to have another opportunity to win a flag. I might go around one more time and get another chance next year!”