“I haven’t missed a session this pre-season and it’s made a real difference to me,’’ says Power ace Motlop

Steven Motlop says a seamless pre-season has him poised to finally repay Port Adelaide faith for taking him as a free-agent from Geelong at the end of 2017.

GOT HIM: Steven Motlop tackles Port Adelaide’s top draftee Connor Rozee in last week’s internal trial. Picture: TOM HUNTLEY.

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Steven Motlop says a seamless pre-season has him poised to finally repay Port Adelaide for its free agency faith.

Motlop finished a disappointing 14th in the Power’s best and fairest voting in his first season at the club last year after signing a four-year deal worth about $2 million.

The former Cat won Showdown 44 against Adelaide with a spectacular running goal with 21 seconds left but apart from that moment of brilliance he didn’t hit the heights that Port had hoped when it forked out big dollars for him.

But the 27-year-old says he had enjoyed a much better second pre-season at the Power and is ready to deliver on his undoubted talent.

“I had a few groin issues and missed a chunk of last pre-season but this year I’m injury free and feeling really good,’’ Motlop said after taking part in the AFL/AFLPA indigenous All Stars Summit in Adelaide.

“I haven’t missed a session this pre-season and it’s made a real difference to me.

“I believe if you’ve done the work and got your body right in the pre-season it puts you in good stead for the year ahead, so I'm just looking forward to playing some footy now.’’

Motlop, who kicked 175 goals in his 135 games for Geelong, described his first year in Port colours as “not too bad’’.

He played 21 of a possible 22 matches but averaged his fewest disposals (17.6) since 2012 and an equal career-low for goals (0.5).

Motlop’s ineffectiveness was illustrated in him averaging just 70 SuperCoach points — 10 below his average from the previous four years.

“I played some good footy at times but I was a bit inconsistent,’’ he said.

“The fitter you are the better you will play, so I’m hoping my greater fitness this year will allow me to cover more ground and make more of an impact.’’

Motlop alternated mainly between wing and half-forward last season but has spent more time in the centre square at training over summer and hopes to be able to attend more centre bounces.

“Jarrad Schofield (new midfield coach) is trying to get me involved more in there — in the centre square and at stoppages — and I’ve enjoyed it,’’ he said.

“He wants to run a variety of guys through there, so hopefully I can add that string to my bow as well. It certainly helps you stay involved in the game more.

“The good thing at this stage of the year is that I’m ticking all the boxes with my training and fitness and I'm hoping that rubs off into games.

“I’ve been in the system for 11 years now but you are always keen to improve so I’m aiming for my best year.’’

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