Aaron Motlop becomes the fifth member of his extended family to coach NTFL club Wanderers

The Motlop reign at Wanderers continues with Aaron Motlop’s rise from star Eagle to the man who will control their on-field fortunes for the next three years

Brothers and cousins Shannon, Thomas, Aaron, JJ and Daniel are part of the Motlop family’s giant contribution to NTFL club Wanderers.

AARON Motlop’s immense pride when told he would be coaching NTFL club Wanderers for the next three years has given the 12-time premier a whole new look.

Motlop, 35, will coach the club he has played all of his junior and season football with for the next three seasons.

His appointment as a non-playing coach after a career that included two premierships and the 2010-11 Chaney Medal as the best player on the ground in his side’s grand final win over St Mary’s, has united a club that was in serious danger of imploding.

Incumbent Shannon Motlop had told club officials he would not accept a new one-year deal and a potential player exodus threatened.

“To have the full support of the players who approached the club and the committee to say they wanted me and my cousin Shannon, who played a big part in it because of his endorsement for me to step in, made sure all this happened,’’ Aaron said.

“And it’s a nice little touch to follow in the footsteps of my father (Mark), two uncles (Paul and Mo) and cousin Shannon as coach of the Premier League side.

“To be able to coach the club I’ve grown to love over the years and put my own footprint on Wanderers certainly means the world to me.’’

Club president Jerome Cubillo said Motlop’s professionalism and record as a player made him an ideal choice.

“Aaron is well respected within the club and among his peers in the industry,’’ he added.

“The knows we have appointed someone who is going to help us achieve the success we want in the short and long term.’’

Motlop wants to use the knowledge he gained as a player to implement the same strategies on present day and future Wanderers footballers.

I’ve had some really good coaches throughout my playing career and if I can use what they’ve taught me to teach the guys at the footy club now and those coming through, I think it’s a real obligation on my part,’’ he said.

He takes over an Eagles side that finished third in the competition in 20-21, losing to St Mary’s in the preliminary final when injury and suspension hurt them.

“Our side last season was one of the strongest we’ve had in a number of years and that’s showing no disrespect to the teams that played in grand finals,’’ Motlop said.

“From my point of view, I’ll be striving for sustained finals success, moving a couple of steps better is certainly my goal.’’