He may be younger than Paul Chapman, but on Saturday Matthew Egan will deliver the final instructions to the retiring three-time premiership player. 

The pair’s friendship dates back a decade, to when they were teammates on the cusp of one of Geelong’s greatest eras. 

Chapman would go on to win three premiership medallions and a North Smith. 

Egan on the other hand was cut down in his prime by a serious foot injury and had turned to coaching by the time he was 26. 

Their paths crossed again five years later when Chapman joined Essendon where Egan was an Assistant Coach. 

“He’s an absolute superstar,” Egan told RSN. 

“It hasn’t worked out perfectly the way he’s finished at Essendon, being injured. 

“I spoke to the group just briefly about why Chappy was successful – he’s a ruthless competitor.”

Egan said Chapman's competitive streak extended to the training track, but he made his name on football’s biggest stage. 

“He would make sure he won everything – you saw it in games, he’s a big game player.  Finals and Grand Finals, he was always performing,” he said.

“I’m really confident when he plays this week, he’ll do a really good job for the team.”