TROY Chaplin will become the second Adelaide-based player to join Richmond this week after Port Adelaide refused to match the Tigers' offer during Gillette AFL Free Agency period.
Richmond snared Chris Knights from Adelaide on Monday.
Chaplin, 27 in February, is the second restricted free agent to walk from the Power, after Danyle Pearce joined Fremantle on Tuesday.
Chaplin underwent significant knee surgery late this season and, as a club in the middle of a rebuild, the Power didn't see the worth in matching Richmond's offer to retain the defender.
"Troy needed serious knee surgery towards the end of 2012 and while we hope he has many years of football left, we're not prepared to commit to the extent Richmond is," football manager Peter Rohde said.
"We would have liked Troy to remain at Alberton, but on terms suitable to the Port Adelaide Football Club as well as the player.
"In fact, we had what we considered a fair contract in front of Troy and his management for a long period this year, but unfortunately they were unwilling to sign.
"Troy has been a valuable player at Port Adelaide throughout his time with us and we sincerely thank him for his efforts with our club and wish him the very best at Richmond and back home in Victoria."
Richmond football manager Craig Cameron said Chaplin would provide good leadership in the Tigers' backline.
"We identified Troy as a player who could provide significant benefit to the club, both on-field with his playing ability, and in a leadership capacity off-field," he said.
"We have a young, developing defensive group, and Troy is well-equipped to provide the necessary know how and experience to assist the likes of Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes, Jake Batchelor and Ben Griffiths."
Chaplin played 140 games for the Power after being drafted by the club with pick No.15 at the 2003 NAB AFL Draft.
The 195cm key defender finished equal fourth in Port Adelaide's best and fairest this year after being runner-up in 2010 and third in 2009. He also won a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in 2006.
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Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media.Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
