AFL greats say Steve Motlop future at Geelong hangs in balance after poor preliminary final performance

GEELONG livewire Steve Motlop is facing an uncertain future after being blasted for his “really poor” preliminary final performance against Sydney Swans.

A dejected Steve Motlop laments the Cats’ preliminary final loss to Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

GEELONG livewire Steve Motlop is facing an uncertain future after the inconsistent goalkicker was yesterday blasted for his “really poor” preliminary final performance against Sydney Swans.

A host of football greats said the Cats face a big call whether to move on Motlop after managing only three tackles in Geelong’s two finals games.

“You feel like he needs a change of scenery to get the best out of his unbelievable ability,” Power great Kane Cornes said yesterday.

St Kilda great Danny Frawley said Motlop, 25, looked “jittery” and “non-competitive” in the contest on Friday night.

Motlop grapples with Lance Frankling during the Cats’ loss. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

He could yet be up for trade, with Kanagroos’ premiership star David King urging the Cats to make a bold move to help gain some linebreaking speed with either North Melbourne’s Daniel Wells, Richmond’s Brett Deledio, or Brisbane speedster Pearce Hanley.

Champion defender Corey Enright may retire after leaving the ground in tears, while premiership hero Jimmy Bartel is contracted for next season but will discuss his future with club chiefs.

Motlop finished second in the Cats best and fairest last year but arrived for preseason training overweight and failed to fire in finals, despite the strong support throughout the season from coach Chris Scott.

Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling said Motlop “wasn’t alone” with his sub-par showing.

“Unfortunately Steve Motlop has let Chris Scott down with the game that he played because that was a big moment,” Ling said on 3AW.

“That was the type of moment and type of game I think Scott had been saying ‘I expect Motlop to rise in that moment’ and he didn’t.

“There were a number of players who had really bad nights and you can’t have probably 15 or 16 players having bad nights in a preliminary final because you are never going to get close.”

North Melbourne legend Wayne Carey said it was time for some tough talks with Motlop.

“Stevie needs to have a serious conversation had to him by the coach,” Carey said on Triple M.

“The question has to be ‘do you really want to play AFL footy at this level?’”

Cornes said Motlop’s weight gain in the summer should set-off alarm bells about his commitment.

One of only 13 disposals for Motlop on Friday night. Picture: AAP

“If he’s coming to pre-season overweight and not ready, that’s not good enough for an AFL player. You can’t expect to prepare yourself like that and expect to have a good season,” Cornes said on Fox Sports.

Motlop has been linked to a move to Richmond, where ex-Cats footy boss Neil Balme has taken over as football manager.

But his trade currency would have taken a hit this year. The Cats have already traded away their first-round draft pick in exchange for ex-Blue Lachie Henderson last year.

King said the Cats needed to add some more outside speed and polish to support star onball duo Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield next season, while they remained in the premiership window.

“They need a first receive player. Whether you call it a half-back flanker or someone strapped to the hip of Dangerfield, he receives the handball off him and he’s damaging,” King said on SEN.

“They talk about Daniel Wells, they talk about Pearce Hanley. If you can get those two trained to hunt around the ball winners, then they can change things quite quickly.

“That may be the straight swap. Would a Deledio straight swap for Motlop do? Would a Wells do? It will be fascinating because outside of Dangerfield and Henderson last year, they haven’t really traded for that older player.”