Motlop still oozes pizazz

STEVEN Motlop needs a hug.

You can hear a collective groan from Geelong supporters every time the crafty forward gets near the ball.

But it’s not justified and it has to be doing serious damage to Motlop’s confidence.

Is Motlop in great form? No. But he is hardly in poor touch and is certainly well in Geelong’s best 22.

From 10 games this year Motlop is averaging 20 touches, a goal and six score involvements a game.

That is ranked as elite or above average by Champion Data for a player of Motlop’s type.

The return is also about average for Motlop in the past three seasons.

And his numbers suggest that he actually has a higher output in losses this season.

To quote former Cats coach Mark Thompson: “You people, all of you, ALL OF YOU, leave him alone.”

Motlop, in many ways, is a victim of circumstance. He signed a bumper contract in 2015 and in most supporters’ eyes hasn’t lived up to the reputation that comes with such a fat pay cheque.

They say Motlop doesn’t tackle enough, he isn’t a contested player, his disposal lets him down. That may be true. But Motlop isn’t Patrick Dangerfield. He isn’t Joel Selwood and he isn’t Cyril Rioli.

Fans have an expectation that every player — especially those on big money — have to be tough, contested, tackling machines.

Motlop is more of an outside player and there’s nothing wrong with that. He is the icing. Not the cake.

Every good team needs a Motlop-type player, a man who can take the game away from the opposition in the space of minutes.

It won’t happen every week, but when it does it is a joy to watch.

Out of contract and a restricted free agent at the end of the year, Motlop still has plenty of good games left in him.

Every Geelong supporter should hope that he remains in blue and white hoops because the Cats are a much more dangerous team with him in the side.