Steven Motlop
DOB: 12/03/91
Games: 149 (135 Geelong, 14 Port Adelaide)
Goals: 185 (175 Geelong, 10 Port Adelaide)
Debut: (for Geelong) Rd 2, 2010 vs Hawthorn
Having been drafted by Geelong with pick 39 in the 2008 National Draft from Wanderers in the Northern Territory, Motlop got his debut in Round 2 of 2010. It was a debut to forget for the 19-year-old who managed just two kicks, one mark, and one tackle before dislocating his shoulder. The Cats won the game with Cam Mooney booting four goals and Gary Ablett collecting 38 touches. Motlop didn’t play another AFL game until Round 14, 2011.
NAB Rising Star
Motlop was awarded the Round 6 nomination for the 2012 NAB Rising Star in a break-out game. In his eleventh career game, Motlop had 28 disposals, two tackles, and a goal. Others to be nominated that year included new Port Adelaide teammate Chad Wingard, Brisbane’s Claye Beams, GWS stars Jeremy Cameron, Dylan Shiel and Toby Greene as well as Richmond’s Brandon Ellis. The eventual winner was Adelaide’s Daniel Talia.
50th game
Motlop’s 50th game milestone came in the 2013 semi-final played at the MCG against Port Adelaide, ironically the team he would join in 2017. He had 25 disposals and 2 goals as the Cats turned a 13-point half time deficit into a 16-point win. On that day Justin Westhoff booted three goals for the Power and Travis Boak had 26 disposals.
100th game
After winning his debut game and his 50th game, Motlop made it a hat-trick of wins in milestones when the Cats overcame North Melbourne by 31 points at Docklands in Round 12, 2016. Motlop had 15 possessions and a goal in a game where Patrick Dangerfield racked up 48 disposals and booted two goals.
Port Adelaide debut
Motlop moved to Port Adelaide at the end of 2017 and played his first game for the club in Round 1, 2018 against Fremantle. He would have 19 touches, three tackles, and two brilliant goals as Port sealed a 50-point win over the Dockers. Young forward Todd Marshall booted four goals and Melbourne recruit Jack Watts three in the win.
Family ties
Motlop’s brother Shannon played 64 games for North Melbourne and Melbourne between 1999 and 2006. Other brother Daniel played 130 matches for North Melbourne and Port Adelaide between 2001 and 2011, booting 208 goals. Motlop’s cousin Marlon Motlop also played for Port Adelaide, managing two goals in five games. He still works for the club.
Most goals
Motlop booted five goals playing for Geelong against Brisbane in Round 22, 2016 in a ten-goal win. He has also booted four goals on four occasions and three goals on 13 occasions.
Brownlow votes
Motlop has polled 19 Brownlow Medal votes throughout his career. His best season was 2015 when he polled seven votes, including two best on ground games. He also polled six Brownlow Medal votes in 2016, receiving all of his votes in the first three rounds.
Overall record
100 wins (90 Geelong 10 Port Adelaide)
47 losses (43 Geelong, 4 Port Adelaide)
2 draws (Geelong)
His thoughts on reaching 150 games
“I’m obviously pretty lucky.
“After some injuries early in my career, the last few seasons I’ve been able to string a few games together, get full
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