ESSENDON recruit Paul Chapman believed his late-season form and history at Geelong would have been enough to keep him in the Cats' plans for 2014.    

 

A three-time premiership player and the 2009 Norm Smith medallist, Chapman missed four months last season with a hamstring injury but worked back into the side late in the year.   

After 251 games, Geelong coach Chris Scott told Chapman he was not guaranteed senior selection in 2014, prompting the 31-year-old to look at his options. 

With Geelong committed to further developing its young stocks, Chapman said he understood the club's direction but he was on a different page. 

"I would have hoped that [my form] would have been enough, and maybe what I'd shown over the past as well might have counted for a little bit," he told Sportsday radio on Monday.  

"But the footy club had a vision and I wasn't a part of that. 

"I'm a player so I just see premierships after every year – all I want to do is win premierships. 

"Obviously they have to think a little bit differently."

Chapman returned from injury in round 22 and played four games, kicking four goals in the semi-final win over Port Adelaide. 

He was suspended for rough conduct, however, and missed the club's preliminary final loss to Hawthorn. 

The versatile star said his body was feeling good after completing a "mini pre-season" during his lay-off and Essendon's Dr Bruce Reid had cleared his move to the Bombers. 

"He had a look over me," Chapman said.  

"I had my previous history of injuries from Geelong and he went through it all, checked out my body and gave me the a-OK, which I knew he would.

"It's nice that Essendon have the confidence in me to give me another opportunity and hopefully everyone benefits from that."