Steven Motlop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steven Motlop |
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Motlop playing for Port Adelaide in June 2018
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| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 12 March 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Darwin, Australia | ||
| Original team | Wanderers (NTFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 39, 2008 national draft | ||
| Position(s) | Forward / midfielder | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Steven Motlop (born 12 March 1991) is a former professional Australian rules football player. He played for the Geelong Football Club from 2009 to 2017. Later, he joined the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Steven was known for his speed and skill as a forward and midfielder.
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Steven Motlop's Early Life and Football Beginnings
Steven Motlop was chosen by the Geelong team in the 2008 AFL Draft. He was the 39th player picked that year. Before joining the AFL, he played for a team called the Wanderers in the Northern Territory.
Steven comes from a family of talented footballers. His older brothers, Shannon Motlop and Daniel Motlop, also played in the AFL. Shannon even won a premiership with North Melbourne. Steven's cousin, Marlon Motlop, also played for Port Adelaide.
Steven had a shoulder injury before the draft. This affected his performance in the Under 18 and Under 16 championships. However, he still managed to kick five goals in a big game at the MCG.
Steven Motlop's AFL Career Highlights
Playing for Geelong (2009–2017)
Steven Motlop's first AFL game was in 2010 against Hawthorn. Sadly, he dislocated his shoulder during that match.
In 2012, Steven was nominated for the 2012 AFL Rising Star award. This award recognizes young, talented players in the league. He earned the nomination after a great game where he got 28 possessions.
After a strong season in 2013, Steven was picked for the first-ever 22 Under 22 team. This team highlights the best young players under 22 years old. In 2014, he had a career-best game with 30 disposals.
Playing for Port Adelaide (2018–2022)
In 2017, Steven Motlop moved to the Port Adelaide team. He joined them as a restricted free agent. This means Geelong chose not to match Port Adelaide's contract offer.
One of Steven's most memorable moments was in Showdown 44. This is a big rivalry game against Adelaide. With only 21 seconds left, Steven kicked the winning goal. This helped Port Adelaide win by 5 points. It also ended Adelaide's five-game winning streak against them.
In 2020, Steven injured his foot. Scans showed he had sprained ligaments in his ankle. He had to miss four weeks of games because of this injury.
Steven Motlop officially retired from professional football in August 2022.
