Former Cat Steven Motlop says he can improve by just playing his role at Port Adelaide

GUN recruit Steven Motlop says Port Adelaide doesn’t need a hero and has vowed to just play his role in Ken Hinkley’s rebuilt, premiership-contending unit.

Renowned for his gamebreaking capabilities, gun Port Adelaide recruit Steven Motlop says he just wants to play his role with his new club. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media

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GUN recruit Steven Motlop says Port Adelaide doesn’t need a hero and has vowed to just play his role in Ken Hinkley’s rebuilt, premiership-contending unit.

Renowned for moments of brilliance that can turn matches but then periods of play where he is a no-show, former Cat Motlop claims he can take his game to the next level at the Power by doing the one per-centers and just “playing my role for the team’’.

“We don’t need one big hero coming in and trying to take the whole game over,’’ said excitement machine Motlop, who joins ex-Lion Tom Rockliff and former Demon Jack Watts in being Port’s glamour off-season recruits.

“We just want everyone to play their role in the team so we win as a team or lose as a team.

“Footy’s so hard and you can’t be on a high all the time so what you have to go back to is just playing your role for the team, so that is what I will be trying to do.’’

Steven Motlop with his new teammates at Alberton Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed

Steven Motlop tackles Rory Sloane in this year’s preliminary final. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

An All-Australian nominee in 2013 and runner-up in perennial powerhouse Geelong’s best and fairest in 2015, running utility Motlop is a gamebreaker but his 135-game, 175-goal career has been hindered by inconsistency.

The 26-year-old, who debuted for the Cats in 2010, has been a matchwinner one week and unsighted the next.

He hopes in joining the Power as a free agent on a lucrative four-year deal that he can deliver good things more often.

“I think if you keep doing the team things you will get into the game eventually,’’ said Motlop, who believes his best football is still in front of him.

“It's about getting to as many contests as you can, about doing the team one per-centers and all the little things that help get you into the game.

“At the moment I'm just training hard to get as fit as I can and learning from my new coaches and hopefully it will help me improve my game.

“My first goal is to get as fit as I can and earn the respect of the players and coaches.’’

Motlop has played most of his career as a medium forward with bursts on the wing and through the centre square.

He is hoping to spend more time in the midfield at Port, which has an array of on-ball riches.

“I want to be a well-rounded player who can play forward, on the wing and definitely through the midfield,’’ Motlop said.

“And if Kenny wants me to play halfback I'll do that too.’’

Motlop, drafted by Geelong at pick 39 from the Wanderers in the Northern Territory at 2008 national draft, said he joined the Power ahead of other suitors, including the Crows, because of his family connection at the club.

He is the younger brother of former North Melbourne and Port forward Daniel Motlop and the cousin of ex-Power midfielder Marlon Motlop, who currently works at the club.

“I’m really close to my family and being at Port just felt right for me,’’ said Motlop, who spent a year under Hinkley at Geelong in 2009 when he was an assistant coach.

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