Image Credit: South Fremantle/WAFL

POSITION: Small Forward

SNAPSHOT: “A crafty small forward who doesn’t need a lot of the ball to make the opposition pay, Motlop is a natural footballer with a great goal sense and smarts.”

Motlop is a clever small forward, with plenty of the sort now in vogue in the top 20 of the draft after the success of young stars Cody Weightman and Kysaiah Pickett. There is a chance that Motlop could follow suit, and while he is eligible for Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy (NGA), the Dockers cannot match a bid inside the top 40 which looks very likely. It also means Motlop will likely be leaving his home state, which his father Daniel had to do back when he was drafted - going on to play 83 games for Port Adelaide and 47 for North Melbourne, though Jesse is not father-son eligible for either club.

STRENGTHS:

+ Forward craft
+ Skills
+ Agility
+ Clean hands
+ Confidence
+ Football smarts

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Consistency
- Production
- Strength

It has been a good year for Motlop, playing at Under 18, school and senior level. He had little trouble finding the goals in each competition, with nine from eight games in the WAFL League grade and six from four Colts games. Motlop was also solid representing Western Australia against South Australia in the national carnival, playing his standard brand. He showed some promising signs late in 2020 to suggest he would be a player to keep an eye on, not just because of the Motlop name, but also for his goal sense and class. Motlop averaged nine disposals and two tackles a game at League level this season, and 15 disposals and three tackles a game at Under 18s level where he found some midfield time.

Agility is Motlop’s greatest athletic attribute, registering a top five finish at the national combine with a time of 8.063 seconds. That trait is showcased on-field as well, with his slick movement in tight situations making him hard to grab for the opposition, and he isn't afraid to use it at anytime. It proves a particularly dangerous weapon inside 50, where Motlop is able to weave through multiple would-be tacklers and kick goals out of nothing. Combined with his smaller frame, it makes him hard to tackle as he wins free kicks by being on the move. Being clean is another great skill he possesses as a small forward. With time not on your side inside 50, you need to be able to take the ball cleanly at every chance and that is something Motlop does well in all parts of the ground.

Motlop oozes confidence in his game and rarely looks flustered, typically in complete control when going for the ball and then using it. You also need a bit of confidence to run your own podcast and that’s something Motlop can hang his hat on with his Deadly Discussions show, which makes it easy to see Motlop making a name for himself within the AFL landscape. The overall confidence is made even better with his impressive football smarts, as Motlop possesses a high footy IQ and is just a natural footballer. A skilful player by hand and foot, he finishes well in front of goal and often hits his targets by around the ground. Even though he is a natural forward, he could really make it as a creative half-back with his smarts and skill. Motlop is also very competitive, not afraid to mix it up with senior players despite his size and age which should hold him well at the next level.

Although he doesn’t mind getting physical, Motlop still lacks the strength to make the most of it and was often pushed off the ball at senior level this year. As long as he doesn’t lose that agility, he will get the most out of his style by adding some strength like Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who is a solid size but still very quick. Consistency is always an issue when you’re a small forward and getting a solid four-quarters of football has been a challenge for Motlop, but when he is on he often makes his low amount of touches count.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Second Round

SUMMARY:

One of the best small forwards in the 2021 draft, Motlop has the belief and skillset to really make his own name at AFL level, with his natural flair and play style sure to make him a fan favourite for any club that picks him up. Motlop’s senior experience and pedigree should help him have an earlier impact at AFL level compared to others in this year's draft and any club looking for a small forward to come in soon will be rewarded with Motlop.