Defector Troy Chaplin in Port Adelaide's sights Troy Chaplin in action for Richmond in the match against Geelong. Picture: George Salpigtidis. TROY Chaplin has a target on his back. Port Adelaide's first free agent defector burned some bridges in leaving Alberton at the end of last season and has only inflamed the ill-feeling by this week taking potshots at the club's 2012 coaching and fitness programs. Power players won't go public with their disappointment with Chaplin but they are preparing to make life tough for him when he plays against his former club - wearing a Richmond guernsey - for the first time at AAMI Stadium on Saturday. "He will get a pretty hot reception from the players and the crowd I would have thought," a club source said. The players were really disappointed with the way he walked out on the club and then to have a bit of a go during the week hasn't sat too well with some people. Obviously our main focus will be to win the game but I think Chappy can expect to cop a couple of decent hits. Chaplin, 27, fled Port, along with fellow defender Danyle Pearce (Fremantle), in the AFL's first free agency period last year. Renowned for being outspoken and occasionally having a crack at team-mates, he played 140 games with the Power after being taken at No. 15 at the 2003 national draft. Chaplin was offered a two-year deal to stay at Port but rejected it for a longer, three-year deal worth about $1.3 million at Tigerland, with an option for a fourth year. It is understood some of his former Power team-mates were disappointed with a departure email written by Chaplin, explaining why he left while giving them advice on how to rebuild the club. On Tuesday, Chaplin said Port's coaching "wasn't there" and that it struggled to "get guys on the track" under then fitness coach Cam Falloon. Port utility Kane Mitchell tried to play a straight bat to questions over Chaplin, saying: "I didn't play with him so it's not really for me to comment, I suppose. The boys respect Chappy but I'm sure they'll play hard against him. Power vice-captain Brad Ebert, who left West Coast to join the Power at the end of 2011, said Chaplin could expect a mixed reception. "I think the boys will probably treat him all right but there will probably be a bit of fun and banter out there," Ebert said. The fans might get stuck into him a little bit but when you leave a club to go somewhere else that's probably all a part of it. Chappy was at Port for a fair while so hopefully the fans will understand his reasons for leaving and that he did give the club good service. Essendon's star free agent pick-up Brendon Goddard received a hot reception from fans of his former club St Kilda when he played against it in round four. He was so moved by the occasion he was brought to tears in a post-game interview. Ebert is yet to confront his former club at its home ground, Patersons Stadium.