Joel Selwood hints Paul Chapman will play his 250th

JOEL Selwood said Paul Chapman has done everything needed of him to deserve to play his 250th game in Saturday's final against Fremantle.

Chapman

GEELONG captain Joel Selwood said Paul Chapman has done everything needed of him to deserve to play his 250th game in Saturday's qualifying final against Fremantle.

The 2009 Norm Smith medallist, who turns 32 in November, has endured a frustrating season because of persistent hamstring issues.

But after playing half a game against Sydney and a full game against Brisbane Lions last week, Selwood said Chapman had earned his place in Geelong's home final this week.

Asked for a comment about Chapman playing his milestone game this week, Cats coach Chris Scott said: "Well, he's still got to be selected to play the 250th. It's not a foregone conclusion. The thing I love about Chappy is he's a competitor and on the big stage there's few better.

"While I was a little non-committal about him playing, he's a pretty good chance on the big stage."

Selwood then gave a resounding recommendation, saying Chapman had done enough to prove himself.

"I think he's just really enjoyed the year. It's been a tough year for him but he's ready to go and he's got himself right and he's done all the work and he deserves to play his 250th. That was a hint to the coach," Selwood said.

Scott replied: "He (Selwood) has a fair say. Let's be honest, that's a pretty good endorsement."

It comes as the out-of-contract Chapman's future remains up in the air.

Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said the club would "have to wait and see" whether he was offered a new deal at season's end.

Chapman told Channel 9's Footy Classified on Monday night that, given his hamstring troubles had not allowed him to prove himself this year, it would be unreasonable if he was not given a new contract.

"With what I've still got to give, it would be unfair," Chapman said.

"If I didn't believe that I still had something to offer, then I wouldn't want to continue on.

"I believe I do, and it's whether the footy club believes that what I've got to give is good enough for the footy club, and whether they want to sacrifice playing a young kid in my position. I think there's a lot of factors."