Geelong overcome Richmond despite missing stars as Steven Motlop, Harry Taylor step up
IT was home sweet home as Geelong overcame Richmond in a top-four battle with Harry Taylor and Steven Motlop stepping up in the absence of missing stars.
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STEVEN Motlop either salvaged his own shaky future with Geelong, or gave lukewarm rival AFL clubs enough of a reason to trade for him at season’s end.
Whatever way you look at it, the enigmatic Cat will now at least be required somewhere in 2018.
That was far from a certainty heading into Saturday’s game against Richmond at Simonds Stadium, with Geelong chief executive Brian Cook telling ABC Radio pre-game the club was more than happy to discuss a potential trade for Motlop.
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The Cats did the same last year, and found there were no willing suitors.
A frank Cook couldn’t have been more clear about the precarious state of his uncertain future, saying: “It’s not like we would say no to people (from other clubs) if they wanted to talk to us.”
But in the space of four quarters — and a few compelling moments — Motlop not only resurrected his career, but helped lift the Cats over the line with a game-defining goal and flashes of line-breaking speed that helped turn the game.
Yes, he has teased us — and Geelong — before but his impact gave the most timely reminder of how damaging he can be when he is at his best — physically and mentally.
It wasn’t his best game, but it might end up being one of his most important from a personal point of view.
It should also be enough to win the 26-year-old a new contract — either in the blue and white hoops or in an opposition team willing to take a calculated punt on the inconsistent but classy midfielder/forward.
Motlop wasn’t best afield. That was reserved for Harry Taylor, who outpointed an out-of-sorts Alex Rance, and kicked four goals in the absence of the suspended Tom Hawkins in the Cats’ 14-point win.
But his role in the midfield in a side sans Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan showed he might be the player the Cats need to kickstart their run to the finals.
After missing two games in an effort to to freshen up his body, and put it through a new training block, Motlop had 19 disposals, seven inside 50s and the Cats’ second most metres gained per disposal.
When asked if he had been given a rocket internally, Geelong coach Chris Scott said: “I wish I knew, you never really know.”
“The majority, if not all the credit for playing well should go to him. I would argue that we are firm with our players, but always supportive.
“I could be wrong, but I just think it is a product of yesteryear, berating playing and putting it on them for their position in the team. We’d rather help them through it.”
But Motlop knew the pressure he was under, not only at Geelong, but to stay in the AFL system.
Part of the inspiration came from a pre-game chat to Selwood, which no doubt consisted of the Cats’ captain telling him to take his chance while it was sitting right in front of him.
Motlop told Fox Footy after the game: “I had a little chat to Joel ... (Selwood’s absence) gives me a chance to get into the midfield ... I will wait for Joel to come back, but I will enjoy it (in there).”
His most important moment came at the 11-minute-mark of the last quarter when the Tigers were making a late charge.
The Cats had kicked eight behinds since their previous goal in the second term, and needed a circuit breaker.
Motlop provided that on the end of a chain of handballs, and squeezed a banana goal off the outside of his boot to give Geelong the necessary breathing space.
It also gave Motlop what he needed most, currency — internally and externally — and it has come just in the nick of time.
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