After 217 AFL games across two clubs, Steven Motlop retires with 14 years of memories and relationships that he says he will cherish for the rest of his life. Image: AFL Photos.

HE always - always - will be remembered for one kick. Steven Motlop, in his first Showdown, running to the northern goal at Adelaide Oval with 21 seconds left on the clock and Port Adelaide behind by one point.

The kick was pure. The celebration - with the open arms and that smile - was pure Steven Motlop. An unforgettable moment in Showdown history was crowned by Motlop's trademark enthusiasm. 

"I was pretty lucky," Motlop said on Tuesday as he closed his AFL career with the final seconds of Showdown XLIV on May 12, 2018 - his eighth AFL game with Port Adelaide - becoming his signature moment.

"As a player, you want to be in those situations. I was lucky I kicked the goal. It is definitely a highlight. My nephews and nieces always show it to me ...

"(But) there has been a lot of special moments. I loved playing in finals with my team-mates and getting the win. That first 10 minutes (after a finals win) is really special. They are the best times - doing it with your best mates."

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Steven Motlop press conference - 2 August 2022 | PTV

Steven Motlop announces his retirement to the media at Alberton Oval

Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley certainly savoured Motlop's goal that ended a five-derby losing streak, but he also carries long-standing memories of how Motlop influenced many games - and not just by kicking match-defining goals.

"Steven has been a special player in big moments," said Hinkley, who was at Geelong when Motlop first stepped onto the AFL field in 2010.

"There is clearly a Showdown that Steven will be remembered for. And it is a pretty big highlight to own considering what Showdowns mean. That moment will be watched again and again during the next few days. There will be thousands and thousands of Port Adelaide fans who will reflect on that one particular moment.

"Steven was the big-moment player. He got it done when you needed it. There are finals that I always remember with Steven running and causing grief, breaking teams with his ability to win games.

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Motlop kicks the winner in Showown XLIV | PTV

Re-live Steven Motlop's iconic game winner against Adelaide in 2018.

"Steven is a professional. An absolute pro when it comes to preparing the best he could - that is why he has played for as long as he has. He brought great energy to our football club, great energy. He had a massive impact at our club. There are young players at our club today who prepare better for what Steven showed them.

"Steven is one of the good guys in footy rooms. He makes you smile. He made them laugh again today ... he just makes people happy. He always does that.

"He came to Geelong in tears, but he also was a confident young fella. He was ready to go - and he knew he could play. He is just such an infectious person that you can’t not like Steven. He is an absolute favourite of mine."

Motlop's two-club AFL career ends immediately with the clock stopping at 217 games, 82 at Port Adelaide since 2018 after starting at Geelong where he played 135 matches from 2010. There will be no farewell game - no final wave to the fans after a match.

"I would have loved to have played another game," Motlop said. "I was hoping we would have made finals and I could have worked my way back into the side.

"I hope I leave with people thinking (the Motlop legacy at Port Adelaide where his brother Daniel played 83 games) is we’re hard trainers, good at footy .. and even better people off the field. That is how I was raised by Mum and Dad. It is great to have a history here and I hope to be always welcomed back at Port Adelaide. I always will see this as a big part of my life."

Steven Motlop rises for the speccy in his first year with Port Adelaide in 2018. Image: AFL Photos.

Motlop announced his retirement - or, to be more correct, his move to B-grade football at home in Darwin - to the Port Adelaide playing group on Tuesday morning with his renowned way of looking on the bright side of life rather than falling into an emotional mess at seeing the curtain fall on his AFL career.

"I wasn't too bad - I am a pretty 'out there' character; it is more a celebration for me," Motlop said. "And my family.

"I think everyone was happy with the decision. Hopefully, I will be missed around the club. I always tried to train my backside off and to do my best - and to help those around me. Hopefully, I have influenced a couple of the young boys here and have helped them through their careers. I definitely will miss them, that is for sure. And hopefully they will miss me.

"I am really grateful for the opportunity I had for 14 years. I see it as a celebration to finish up and move on with life," added Motlop who will return to Darwin this week. "I am looking forward to fishing and camping ... and travelling."

Following an exciting 14-year career across Geelong and Port Adelaide, Steven Motlop hangs up the boots with plans to return to Darwin to spend time with family. Image: AFL Photos.

Motlop played his last AFL game in round 16 against Fremantle in a season of 14 of a possible 19 matches. There were pointers to the end.

"Age ... and the role I play which is a pretty demanding role, that high forward role," Motlop said. "I am nearly 32. When you know the time is right, the time is right. I want to get back to Darwin to play some footy; I still have a lot of footy in me at local level, definitely. I am excited for that.

"Age (ends my AFL career) ... and we have a great crop of young guys coming through. That is a reality of footy. You need to promote your younger guys - they need that exposure to AFL football. I have been lucky to play for 14 years. It is their turn now."

Motlop's reflects on a long journey in the AFL with gratitude.

"I am extremely grateful, first for the opportunity to go to Geelong," Motlop said. "I have been at two incredible clubs.

"It is very scary when you move to a new club. But ever since I came to Port Adelaide, it is like another family to me and I have valued everyone here. I am definitely going to miss them.

"I have been very lucky to have played for this long, to have played for my family and in some big games with the excitement it brings. It has been incredible. I am looking forward to retirement, though."

Steven Motlop says his time with Port Adelaide has provided him a second family. Image: Michael Sullivan.

And there is the obvious regret - no AFL grand final, no AFL premiership.

"Five preliminary finals," notes Motlop. "You have to be lucky in this game ... I will be chasing one at local level, that is for sure.

"Every player strives for that ultimate goal of winning a premiership. Hopefully, the boys can do that here in the next couple of years. Port Adelaide has a great group. I will be definitely watching on and cheering for them.

"(The preliminary final defeats), last year and the year before stung a little bit more. As you get older, you are definitely chasing that (last chance to play in a grand final). That's how it goes in footy ... there are a lot more lows than highs. If you are lucky to get one (flag), you are indeed lucky."

Motlop joined Geelong as the 39th call in the 2008 AFL national draft. He came to Port Adelaide - his family club - at the end of 2017 as a free agent.

"(Geelong and Port Adelaide) have shaped me as a person," Motlop said. "Going to Geelong, being a long way from Darwin, at 17 - I rang my Dad crying and he got straight in the car and drove from Darwin to Geelong and helped me through my career there. My parents were a big inspiration through my career.

"I have been very lucky, two incredible clubs. And when I had the opportunity to come to Port Adelaide - already having had a connection with Ken (Hinkley, who had been an assistant coach at Geelong). He was a big part of why I wanted to come to Port Adelaide.

"The history of both Geelong and Port Adelaide is incredible and I am very lucky to have played for two great clubs.

"You love every team-mate. I definitely have made some great friends at both Geelong and Port Adelaide."

Steven Motlop says he has made some great mates across his time at Geelong and Port Adelaide, pictured here with Marty Frederick. Image: AFL Photos.

Motlop leaves the AFL with his reputation made by his hard work between games, even if he was too often harshly judged by the pundits and fans for seemingly falling in and out of games.

"I liked training," said Motlop of his dedication to his sport. "I like the off-season and the challenges of (pre-season training). But I won't miss the three, one-kilometre runs ...

He leaves Alberton with the thought "we have an incredible group" at Port Adelaide.

"They train harder than at any other club I have been at or seen," Motlop said. "They just have to keep working on our game. They have to keep developing and helping each other through these moments. I am sure after another big pre-season they will be back contending again."

And Motlop departs with admiration of Hinkley and gratitude for the coach's strong support.

"I always have had a great connection with Ken," Motlop said. "We have a similar sense of humour and a similar way to see life. He has been a great help for me. In my time here at Port Adelaide, Ken always has been honest and we have had a great connection. I always will be thankful to Ken."

Ken Hinkley and Steven Motlop, both coming to Port Adelaide from Geelong, celebrate a 2020 Qualifying Final win over their former side. Image: AFL Photos.

Hinkley appreciates having seen Motlop from the start to the finish of his AFL career.

"Steven is such a popular person - and such a loveable person," Hinkley said. "He has brought a lot of smiles to my face."

None was broader than the smile generated on the faces of many Port Adelaide fans in that Showdown that always is to be remembered for Steven Motlop's kick as time was running dry.