Chapman, a ruckman and centre half-forward, first appeared for Fitzroy in the 1924 finals. He played in two semi finals and kicked two goals in each.[3] This made him the first ever Fitzroy player to make his league debut in a finals series.[4]
He was a regular fixture in the Fitzroy team from 1925 and also represented Victoria at interstate football on 10 occasions, including matches in the 1930 Adelaide Carnival.[5]
In 1929 he captained Fitzroy for the season but they would finish second last on the ladder and vacated the position when Colin Niven became playing coach.[6]
Chapman was Fitzroy's leading goal-kicker in the 1930 VFL season with 46 goals from 18 games.[3] This included seven goal hauls against both Melbourne and Hawthorn.[3] It was the only season in full-forwardJack Moriarty's 10 years at Fitzroy that he wouldn't top the goal-kicking.