GEELONG'S triple-premiership star Paul Chapman is keen to continue his career at a rival club next season if he can't get a deal done with the Cats, his manager Liam Pickering says.
Chapman faces an anxious wait ahead of next Friday's preliminary-final clash with arch rivals Hawthorn following a report for rough conduct in Geelong's 16-point semi-final win over Port Adelaide on Friday night.
The 31-year-old veteran of 251 matches booted a game-high four goals and had 20 possessions against Port in a brilliant performance in just his eighth senior game of an injury-interrupted season.
However his high bump on Port's Robbie Gray during the third term could result in a one-match ban for the 2009 Norm Smith medallist, depending on Monday's report from the Match Review Panel.
Chapman's season could be over if he is suspended and the Cats lose to minor premiers the Hawks. Geelong's 11-game winning streak against Hawthorn has been strongly linked to Chapman's determination to avoid another defeat against the side that overpowered the Cats in the 2008 Grand Final.
"You know my view on the whole scenario about those types of bumps," Pickering told SEN Radio on Saturday.
"No one was hurt. It was a bump.
"My view is he should get off. His record's very good.
"I expect him to play on," Pickering added.
"I hope it's Geelong. He's made that pretty clear.
"I expect him to play footy, absolutely. I hope it doesn't happen (at another club).
"We're trying to get a deal going with Geelong but at the moment they've got a preliminary final to worry about."
