AFLW 2024: Maeve Chaplin says rough patch has hardened Melbourne defence
One of the AFLW’s rising stars thought she’d blown her chance at the top level but now holds the key to Melbourne’s finals hopes.
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A horror four-game losing streak in September means Melbourne cannot afford to put a foot wrong on the road to the finals, but the Demons know where to look for inspiration.
Maeve Chaplin has rocketed from the fringes of Melbourne’s side to have one arm inside a maiden All-Australian blazer towards the pointy end of a stellar fourth season.
The 22-year-old defender was rock solid through the form slump that derailed the Demons’ season and then a critical contributor in the three wins that have reset their course.
Chaplin’s role against Richmond’s three-pronged forward line of Katie Brennan, Caitlin Greiser and Emelia Yassir will be essential to the Demons’ hopes in a must-win clash at Casey Fields on Saturday.
It will be only her 30th game after the Demons signed her as a replacement player for the 2022 season 6 campaign, delisted her without a game at its conclusion, but then unexpectedly drafted her back four months later before Chaplin finished the year with a premiership medal.
Demons coach Mick Stinear said not many players could have handled that emotional rollercoaster but thought the ride might have helped turn Chaplin into a star.
“Maeve’s got really good self-awareness, and an ability to reflect. I think over the years, she’s learnt not to take everything personally,” he said.
“I just feel like she’s got a really good balance between football and her personal life and being able to separate the two – and that’s allowed her to navigate some of the challenges she’s faced.
“Because she’s been through some of those challenges, she doesn’t take anything for granted – she’s high on gratitude, really appreciates the relationships and the opportunities that are part of an elite program … we’re a better place for having her a part of it.
“It hasn’t been easy, and we’ve made it tough on her at times as well – but I love her attitude, loving watching her play at the moment and excited for what the future looks like for her.”
The premiership campaign did not lock Chaplin into Melbourne’s side – a pre-season concussion didn’t help as she found herself on the outer when the Demons opened their 2023 campaign.
“It was hard (missing out) because of how much work I’d put into that pre-season – to not really see it come to life was difficult,” Chaplin said.
“I knew I needed to build strength and confidence in my body to perform well consistently.”
Chaplin took some hard feedback from the Demons on-board and went to work on her aerobic fitness, playing midfield minutes in the VFLW this winter to prove she could run out games.
She was one of the Demons’ best in the season opener in Geelong and has sustained that form, ranked No.4 in the competition for intercept possessions, and first at the club for rebound 50s and disposal efficiency.
The 167cm defender has been in 12 one-on-one contests this season and only been defeated twice.
“I put a lot of work into my fitness and solidifying myself in that halfback, intercepting role. To feel it now finally paying off is really rewarding,” Chaplin said.
“I feel like I can take on the small forwards or the taller forwards … it’s really fun to work on my body positioning, using my strength on taller players but then using my speed and footy smarts on the smaller players.
“I feel like having that balance has been really good, and it helps the backline out being able to do both.”
Melbourne’s backline was under siege between weeks 2 and 5, particularly in ugly defeats to North Melbourne and Essendon, but Chaplin said the rocky period may have been a “blessing in disguise” for a defensive unit finding its feet without Libby Birch and Maddi Gay.
“You don’t want the ball coming in as a back, you’d rather it stayed up the ground – but I think that tough period has helped (the backline) grow in confidence that we can get the ball out, and we know we can stick together under the pump,” she said.
Stinear said the Demons’ staff had taken immense satisfaction in watching Chaplin move towards becoming a complete player.
“Now she’s had an opportunity to settle and understand what it takes to be a professional at this level … she’s always had the talent and the athleticism, and now she has the work ethic and the desire,” he said.
“All that’s now coming together, and she’s still so young – that’s why we’re now seeing the outcome on the field.
“She’s such a joy to have around … a lively character who really brings a lot of energy to our program, so it’s nice to see she’s getting reward for effort on the field.”
Chaplin could well go down as the only player in AFLW history to be delisted before returning to win a premiership with the same club in the same calendar year.
But she said there was only gratitude towards the club for reconsidering her months later.
“I’m always in debt to Melbourne for giving me that second chance. I can’t really believe it to be honest. When I look back on it, it’s pretty wild – getting delisted and then winning a premiership in the same year is possible, I guess,” she said.
“I didn’t think there was much chance of me getting back onto a list, which at the time I was really disappointed in.
“I had a taste of what it was like to be an elite athlete, and it was something I really wanted.
“Now, to be able to have that opportunity and take it with both hands, knowing that this is something I love and want to do for as long as possible – I wouldn’t change anything, it’s really awesome.”
Originally published as AFLW 2024: Maeve Chaplin says rough patch has hardened Melbourne defence
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