Sport
29 September, 2022
Chaplin rewarded for work with Dees as best assistant coach
Troy Chaplin was rewarded for his work with Melbourne’s backline throughout the year, with the AFL Coaches Association naming him the 2022 Assistant Coach of the Year last week. Chaplin oversees Melbourne’s defensive unit, headed by...
Troy Chaplin was rewarded for his work with Melbourne’s backline throughout the year, with the AFL Coaches Association naming him the 2022 Assistant Coach of the Year last week.
Chaplin oversees Melbourne’s defensive unit, headed by All-Australian Steven May and Jake Lever, and saw the team concede the fewest points in the league throughout the home and away season for the second consecutive year.
He has been a mainstay at the Melbourne Football Club since 2016, initially starting as a forwards coach before moving to defensive coach.
The AFL season finished on Saturday afternoon, with Geelong proving much too strong for Sydney in the grand final, winning by 81 points.
However, the league was still well-represented by Maryborough district products in season 2022, with Newstead product Jack Ginnivan the most notable performer throughout the season, finishing with 40 goals for Collingwood, who ultimately bowed out in a one-point loss to the Swans in the preliminary final. Ginnivan was rewarded with a top-five finish in the NAB AFL Rising Star award, which was won by Magpie teammate Nick Daicos.
Kai Lohmann was another who saw his team stumble at the second-last hurdle, with his Brisbane Lions team losing to Geelong in the preliminary final. Lohmann was able to make his debut in 2022, but an untimely ankle injury in round six against Gold Coast meant he was unable to see any playing time during the AFL finals.
Jake Stringer and Nick Hind continued to be regulars at Essendon throughout the season, who endured a difficult season as they finished in the bottom four. Hind was in the top five possession winners at the club, averaging just over 20 disposals a game, while Stringer kicked 25 goals from 15 games in 2022.