Last season my mate Chris Greenway did an in-depth weekly analysis on David Rodan. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to give it a try this season. Why not walk step by step with a player through the ups and downs of a year of footy? We have no idea how the season will unfold but what an fascinating way to watch it happen!

Since I'll be writing these articles from an ocean away, I needed to pick a player with high visibility; a player who is likely to get a lot of press in the on-line newspapers. I also needed a player who is likely to have an active roll in each game; someone who's name will be called often in the radio broadcasts. I considered Chris' recommendations, I read the papers, I narrowed the selections and I came up with my player of the year: Mark Chaffey.

Let's start the season by looking at the pre-season press on Chaffey. What exactly are the expectations?

Source: Realfooty.com.au
...has been considered predominantly as a tagging player throughout his career, but in recent times has developed into a ball magnet. He's a determined competitor whose skill is greater than his rugged looks suggest.

Source: David Clayton's Tiger's Lair
2003 Season Senior Player Ratings
Mark Chaffey A good 2003 early on in the season before opposition sides worked out a strategy to take him out of play, but still contributed well through the whole season. 7

Tigers' 2003 report card
05 September 2003 AFL
By JON ANDERSON
It started to crumble when Darren Gaspar did his knee in Round 11, and Ben Holland was available for only nine games after knee surgery. Mark Chaffey had his best year for the club. Andrew Kellaway and Ty Zantuck fought the odds. 6/10

Player reviews: Richmond
2:06:06 PM Sat 31 January, 2004
Matt Burgan
AFL.com.au
Mark Chaffey - Had his best AFL season in 2003, when he firmly established himself as a vital member of the Tigers' defence. Will be looking to continue this form in 2004.

Tiger leaders show the way
4:36:36 PM Tue 10 February, 2004
Tony Greenberg
Richmond Football Club.com
The Tigers made four changes to their leadership group for 2004 with Kane Johnson, Andrew Kellaway, Greg Tivendale and Mark Chaffey replacing Matthew Richardson, Joel Bowden, Duncan Kellaway and Ben Holland (now at Melbourne).

From: Chris Greenway
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 7:20 AM
I had a thought about what player you should follow, I know you wanted to go for Krakouer, but personally I'd watch Chaffey. A real class player who will get a game every week, but works hard and doesn't get a lot of publicity, then again I like him and always have.

I think it's pretty clear that Chaffey is expected to have a breakout year this season!

Each week after the game, I'll post the reviews on Chaffey. Your comments are always welcome and I'd love to post them on the site with your permission. You may click the "next" button to navigate to the next week's report, or you may use the links on the left-hand side of the page.