Could Motlop become a Roo?
TRADE TARGET: Cats speedster prime back-up material
NORTH Melbourne has entered the frame to land Geelong speedster Steven Motlop as question marks linger over Daniel Wells’ fitness.
The Kangaroos and Richmond are circling Motlop as a prime back-up trade target to Greater Western Sydney midfield jet Adam Treloar.
The Roos and Tigers have both offered Treloar a six-year deal, but Collingwood is favoured to land the 22-year-old on a five-year contract.
Motlop, 24, has produced his best form of the season in the past fortnight, averaging 27 possessions, 2.5 goals and 492m gained.
The linebreaking goalkick- er had 11 tackles in the win over the Bulldogs in Round 16 and received the full 10 AFL coaches’ votes for his blistering performance against the Giants on Saturday.
Industry sources said the hot streak could boost the value of his next contract to more than $500,000 a season, after only 82 games.
Motlop has told the Geelong Advertiser he is “pretty confident” a deal can be worked out with the Cats, but until he signs, speculation about his future will continue.
Kangaroos’ coach Brad Scott said in April the club could “look at some trading opportunities because of the platform (of young talent) we have been able to build over the last seven or eight years”.
Analyst and North dual premiership defender David King backed the Motlop move, but only if the Roos believed they could win next year’s premiership, before a clutch of veterans retire.
“I like that style of player (Motlop), because that (outside run) is what they haven’t got,” King said. “So, if the time is now (for a flag), go and get a Steve Motlop.
“But if you are not going to go for it, go back to the draft and get the kids in the door.
“The club needs to make a decision (to assess) if Brad Scott and his vision are on track. If they aren’t, then all recruiting decisions need to go through the list management process that will leave them in good shape.”
The Cats remain hopeful of snaring Adelaide superstar free agent Patrick Dangerfield and Carlton swingman Lachie Henderson, but have made it clear they will not keep Motlop at any cost.
The Kangaroos are looking to boost their pacy midfieldforward options as a cloud hangs over two of their most creative ball-users.
Wells remains sidelined with an ongoing achilles problem, while livewire Lindsay Thomas could request a trade.
MEANWHILE, Geelong defender Jared Rivers has surged into contention for Saturday’s clash against the Brisbane Lions after recovering from a knee injury.
The 30-year-old has missed the past two matches after suffering a low-grade medial ligament strain late in the Round 15 loss to North Melbourne.
Expected to retire at season’s end, Rivers needs to play every remaining match of the home-and-away season as well as a final to bring up his 200th career game.
“Jared had a grade one medial knee sprain that’s settling well and he’s in full training this week and he’ll be a strong test,” Geelong physio Mark Young told Cats TV.