The Power were forced to rebuild their defence almost from scratch after losing premiership players Gavin Wanganeen, Michael Wilson, Darryl Wakelin, Matthew Bishop and Adam Kingsley to retirement between 2006-2008.
The inexperienced quintet of Chaplin, Alipate Carlile, Nathan Krakouer, Paul Stewart, and Jacob Surjan was considered the weakest link in the Port Adelaide team last season, but is now starting to show the benefits of experience in the AFL system.
With the exception of the blow-out loss to Geelong at Skilled Stadium in round four, the Port Adelaide defence has conceded an average of just 83 points a game this season, compared to 102 points last year.
Chaplin said the defensive group, which also includes versatile veteran Chad Cornes, was now mature enough to take some ownership of their area on the ground.
“Chad, Paul Stewart and myself can all rotate between talls and smalls and if one guy is struggling on a small player then we can swap.
It doesn’t come down to Kingers making the decision in the box. We make those decisions out on the ground as to what we think is the best match up and if he’s not happy then he’ll make a decision,” Chaplin said.
“He’s put a lot of faith and trust in us to make decisions and that helps with the confidence as well.”
Last year, Chaplin delivered on the promise he showed as a first-round draft pick (No.15) in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft.
The vocal 24-year-old played 20 games and took out third place in the Power’s best and fairest award.
He has started in equally impressive fashion this season, leading the club in rebound50ms and ranking sixth in disposals, despite having missed one game through suspension.
He racked up 32 disposals and 12 marks in an attacking role against St Kilda last month, but said he played more of a shutdown role on Essendon youngster Scott Gumbleton last weekend.
“When you come up against a kid like Gumbleton…they have a lot of talent and you can’t go easy on them. They are young guys, who are going to do what the coach wants and are trying to make their way in footy, so you’ve really got to knuckle down,” Chaplin said.
“It’s good that guys like Chad are starting to find some form because it takes a bit of pressure off you and you can go back to that defensive mindset.”
The sixth-placed Power will take on the seventh-placed Carlton for a chance to secure a spot in the top eight, at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
Port Adelaide has surprised many football pundits with its impressive start to the season and Chaplin said he could see shades of 2007, when the club got up to make a grand final, in the current side team.
“Not too many people would have thought we’d be in this situation and I’m still not sure that we’re rated amongst the football fraternity,” Chaplin said.
“We’ve won games that could’ve gone either way and if you want to play finals football that’s what you have to do. It reminds me a bit of 2007 when we were young and flew under the radar of a few of teams.
“The last couple of years have been a struggle, but we’ve got that trust and belief in one another now. We know what each other is capable of and expect each other to deliver on the day.”
