Ex-North Melbourne and Port Adelaide footballer Daniel Motlop reveals why he knew son Jesse would play in the AFL

An impressive football lineage is only part of Carlton forward Jesse Motlop’s journey, as his former AFL football dad Daniel explains.

Carlton’s Jesse Motlop played his first AFL game last week. Picture: Getty Images

Daniel Motlop never pushed his Carlton footballer son Jesse towards an AFL career.

In fact, he dared him to dream even bigger – NFL or NBA big. Or even to focus more on running his own business, so that he was aware of how much more there was in life.

But the signs were there from a young age that Jesse, like his dad, uncles Shannon and Steven and godfather Aaron Davey, was destined for Australian football’s biggest stage.

“Even playing Auskick, he’d do things I never taught him. Like, he’d exploit rules in Auskick, much to everyone’s disgust,” Motlop told News Corp with a laugh.

“Whether it was a smother or standing next to someone – because they’re not allowed to tackle – and waiting for a kid to kick it, then snatch it out of their hands.

Jesse Motlop (third from right) with his family, including his dad Daniel (second from left), who played for North Melbourne and Port Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

“But he’s a student of the game. He loves footy and he’s a bit of a ‘square’ to it, if you know what I mean. We’ve just always seen that in him.”

The Blues are now reaping the benefits of Jesse’s talent-rich genetics and dedication to the game after selecting the Perth-raised teenager with the No.27 pick in last year’s AFL draft.

The 18-year-old forward made his senior debut last week against Greater Western Sydney, kicking a goal in front of a large group of family and friends at Giants Stadium.

“It’s pretty exciting and something I’ve worked towards for pretty much 18 years now, so to finally get it under the belt is so surreal and I still can’t believe it,” Jesse said.

“I was pretty desperate (to play) early on, but at the club we’re all about being the next man ready and we’ve got such a strong side at the moment.

Jesse Motlop celebrates kicking his first AFL goal with Carlton teammate Jack Silvagni. Picture: Getty Images

“A few boys went down and it was finally my turn to come up, so I enjoyed every moment of it and I’m very grateful.”

The cameras caught Motlop’s celebration and wide grin after his son steered his set shot through the uprights.

It was a rare experience for the ex-North Melbourne and Port Adelaide footballer, who played 130 AFL games between 2001 and 2011.

Motlop and Jesse’s mother, Jade Adams, split a decade ago and the future Blue grew up in a different state to his Adelaide-based father.

That meant opportunities to watch Jesse’s burgeoning football career were few and far between.

Motlop estimates he watched only about five of his son’s games live in the past two years, but devoured every bit of footage or highlight he could.

Jesse Motlop has quickly fit in at Carlton. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ve never experienced something like that,” Motlop said of Jesse’s debut.

“We sort of knew from a young age he was going to play – there was no doubt in my mind that he was ever not going to play AFL – but to actually get there and do it was special.

“And more for the fulfilment of him ... everything’s just fallen into place, I guess, from him living in Perth and me living in Adelaide and obviously going through the break-up and everything.

“He’s gone through a bit and turned out a great kid and to kick that goal just tops it off that he’s an adult now, and we’ve got a long journey of happiness of him playing AFL footy, hopefully for the next 10 to 15 years.”

Jesse would visit his dad in Adelaide during school holidays and didn’t hesitate picking him as his favourite AFL footballer, which is unsurprising for obvious reasons but also because of his extensive highlight reel.

Jesse Motlop looks set to have a successful AFL career. Picture: Getty Images

The family’s AFL connection goes beyond the immediate family, including Motlop’s cousin Marlon, as well as the Daveys and Corries, and his uncle Rod Waddell, who played for Carlton and Geelong in the 1980s.

There was also a special moment at the MCG on Monday, when Jesse posed for a photo, ahead of the AFL’s Indigenous Round, with Ben Long, Tex Wanganeen and Maurice Rioli.

They can all relate to the experience Jesse and his family are going through because they’re living it, too.

“The Motlops are pretty good – they don’t try to step on your toes or anything,” Jesse said.

“They just really let you do you and learn from your own mistakes. They’ve definitely chucked in their own advice, but, at the same time, they’re nice and relaxed and let me do my thing.”