POWER youngster Marlon Motlop is no stranger to playing out of his weight division.

Motlop started the 2008 season as the lightest player on Port Adelaide’s list, weighing in at just 76 kilograms, but as has been the case throughout his entire footballing career, Motlop refused to let his size get in the way.

“I started playing footy as soon as I could count,” Motlop said.

“I played Auskick as soon as I was old enough and then I followed my brother, Thomas, down to footy training at the Wanderers footy club in Darwin.

“I pretty much annoyed the coach, hung around the place and trained there when I was only eight-years-old. You couldn’t play until age 11, but I managed to get a game when I was 10.”

Motlop’s renowned persistence also rubbed off on new coach Mark Williams, who rewarded the 18-year-old’s impressive pre-season with a place in the Power line-up for the opening NAB Cup game.

Motlop spent most of his final year in the U18 competition playing across half-forward, but an injury to teammate and close family friend, Peter Burgoyne, saw the talented teen cast in a new role over the summer.

“It was really exciting playing in the NAB Cup games. Peter being injured early on gave me a chance to play his role across half-back,” Motlop said.

“Choco backed me and gave me the opportunity and it was pretty exciting to be out there.”

Motlop, who has put on a whopping five kilograms since arriving at Alberton, started the season in the North Adelaide reserves, but a ‘purple-patch’ of good form saw him elevated alongside cousin Shannon in the Roosters league team.

“I started the year playing reserves, but I just stuck with it and the club supported me in doing that,” he said.

“I got the call-up in round eight and played pretty well. I kicked three goals, so I enjoyed it.

“During the pre-season, I learned a few skills in the back line and how to play a similar role to Peter, but then when I got my league call-up with North Adelaide, they threw me in the forward line.

“I think the Power want me to be a bit more versatile, so I can play as many positions as possible out on the field, which is fine by me.”

The Motlop name is famous in Northern Territory football circles with Marlon’s father Mo and uncle, Mark, both heavily involved at grassroots level. Then, of course, there is his cousin Daniel, who is in stellar form with the Power.

Motlop, who is a talented guitarist and singer, also has an older brother Thomas playing for the Seaton Ramblers, with whom he shares a house not far from Alberton.

The impressive, well-spoken youngster said the support of his family had helped him settle into life in a new city.

“Having Daniel and also my brother in Adelaide has helped me to be a lot more comfortable around the boys,” he said.

“We get together two or three times a week and Daniel will cook us dinner, he’s a good cook and they have definitely helped me a lot.

“Daniel has been a great role model. Thomas and I just sit back at home and laugh when Daniel kicks those freakish goals because we know it is coming. It’s good to see him playing well though.”

There is also a third Motlop on Port Adelaide’s radar, Daniel’s brother Steven.

Steven, 17, is ineligible for the draft this year, but according to Marlon is one to watch in the coming years.

“I played all my junior footy with Steven. He’s a skinny kid, but he’s a bit taller than Daniel, so once he gets older he’s going to put on a bit of bulk. He’s going to be a good player. He’s similar to Daniel and can kick those freakish goals, so he’s good to watch,” Motlop said.

“He’s going through the under 18s program in the Northern Territory at the moment, so keep an eye on him over the next couple of years and hopefully we can get him here to Port Adelaide as well.”

In the meantime, Marlon is determined to become the second Motlop to pull on the Power guernsey and he’s optimistic it won’t be too far away.

“Hopefully, I can play well in the seniors at North now. I’ve strung three or four good games together between reserves and league, so I’m in a purple patch of good footy,” he said.

“Hopefully, I can just keep playing well and maybe even push for selection in the Power side this year.”