Assistant coach Nathan Bassett has commended the influence of small forward Paul Chapman throughout the 2014 season.

It was a young Essendon forward line this season led by 20-year-old Joe Daniher and 22-year-old Jake Carlisle for much of the season.

The 271 game veteran played an important role in sharing his knowledge and experience from playing over 15 seasons at the top level.

Chapman met with coach James Hird last week and is expected to play on in 2015 after impressing during his first season in the red and black.

He finished the season with 22 goals from 20 matches.

Bassett said Chapman had a strong start to the season before a lean patch midway through the year.

“I think lots of people thought Chappy could still play but it was a list management decision from Geelong to move him on,” Bassett said,

“He started the year outstanding, had a bit of a flat patch for a while and had some surgery during the first mid season break.”

“It took him a while to get his movement back from that.”

Bassett said the 32 year old provided an important guidance for the young Essendon forward line in 2014.

“I thought his last six to seven weeks were very good and he was terrific in the final but he played some really good football for us towards the end of the year,” he said.

“He helped some of the younger guys, he was good for us in the forward group in meetings, helping guys on the track and in some ways he is learning coaching as well.

“He has come to work with a younger group and gets to have an input into their playing careers and their development.”