Supplements saga 'out of my control', says new Don
New Don Paul Chapman says supplements saga isn't worth worrying about
ESSENDON guaranteed Paul Chapman that the worst of its supplement scandal was over before he joined the club.
But the three-time Geelong premiership star concedes that there is still a sense of the unknown about the issue.
While the AFL hit the Bombers with a raft of penalties in late August, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) investigation into Essendon's supplements scandal continues.
That has not deterred the 32-year-old, who wants to play in a fourth premiership team before retirement.
"You think about it - but what can I do about it?," Chapman said when asked about the club's problems this year.
"It's out of my control.
"The club guaranteed that things were getting worked out and it would get worked out - it wouldn't affect the players too much.
"I was happy with that."
Chapman said his new teammates were also putting the saga behind them.
"I suppose it would be good for everyone if it was just out there and everyone can move on," he said.
"We focus on football and a lot of this stuff is out of everyone's control.
"What's the point of worrying about it?"
Chapman is three days into his new AFL life after Geelong did not offer him a new contract, ending his outstanding 251-game career with the Cats.
He is confident Essendon can be in the premiership mix next season.
"I'm still hungry, I want another premiership," he said.
"I believe the Bombers aren't too far away ... playing against them, we respected them highly, the way they played.
"I'm selfish - I want another premiership."
Injury restricted Chapman to only eight senior games in the 2013 season and he can understand why people might doubt his durability.
But the midfielder-forward insists he can still deliver.
"It's easy to do that, isn't it - just look at the previous year and say 'he was injured (this) year, so what's going to happen for next year?'," he said.
"I've been pretty durable ... I can handle the demands of AFL footy.
"People say 'is it a punt, are they taking a punt on (recruiting) me?' - I don't think it's a punt at all."
Chapman did not go on the club's high-altitude training camp in the United States because he and his partner have just moved from Geelong to Melbourne.
They are also expecting their first child in seven weeks.
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Be part of AFL Opening Round to kick-off the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season in QLD. March 6-9. Brisbane Lions host Geelong at the GABBA and Gold Coast SUNS take on Essendon at People First Stadium.