On Tuesday Motlop was ruled out of the Power’s clash with Richmond and fined $2500 after it was revealed he left the team hotel to collect his girlfriend at 2am on the day of the game against Melbourne.
Motlop’s girlfriend had arrived on a flight from Adelaide to watch the 28-year-old play against the Demons in front of his home crowd.
The club issued a statement saying that there were no other breaches involved and Brogan said the club’s decision to suspend Motlop was a tough one.
“Motts just made a poor decision, which we’ve all done in the past. Together with the leadership group, the football department and the coaches we thought it was best that Motts missed this week,” Brogan said on Wednesday.
“The game is that professional now and the requirements of an AFL footballer are very high. If you’re not prepared to meet those we’ll all suffer. We all make mistakes and I’ve made some big ones in the past. It’s just a matter of how you come out of it.
“It’s not a big thing Motts did. He understands that and we understand that. It’s just the little things and we need to get all the little things right.”
It has been a testing fortnight for Motlop.
Last week the club confirmed the mercurial goalkicker was under police investigation over an incident at a Glenelg bar in which he was accused of verbally assaulting teammate Jacob Surjan’s girlfriend.
The former North Melbourne forward has also been criticised for his performance on the field since his return from a serious hamstring injury in round seven.
Brogan was confident Motlop’s early-morning airport run hadn’t affected his game on Saturday night, but said the enigmatic star was under pressure as a result of recent events.
“There’s a bit going on with Motts at the moment, so we’re here to support him. What’s happened over the last couple of weeks has been well documented,” Brogan said.
“We feel that it’s best that he has a week to get himself right and I’m sure he’ll be back in the side the next week.”
Motlop’s unavailability is a big blow for the Power, who will also be without forward Jason Davenport (suspended).
In-form tall forward Daniel Stewart and long-kicking forward/defender Nick Salter are in line to replace the goalkicking duo.
Half-back Nathan Krakouer (groin) was restricted to light duties at Wednesday’s main training session and will not play against the Tigers at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Forward Robbie Gray, who was a late withdrawal from the team that travelled to Darwin, is also in doubt with a nagging back complaint.
Draftee Andrew Moore worked alongside Krakouer and is likely to spend a month on the sidelines with a groin injury.
Critics have questioned the soft-tissue injuries that continue to plague the careers of Gray, Krakouer and also prized No.4 draft pick Hamish Hartlett, with some saying the club should offer one of the suspect trio up for trade.
Brogan said it was ridiculous to suggest Port Adelaide would look at moving on any of the three talented players.
“Those guys have had a few issues with their bodies there’s no doubt, but they’re trying to do everything right and the medical staff are trying to do everything right to get them right to play. We look at the long-term picture with them. We don’t want to play them half-fit because it’s no good for them or the team,” he said.
