GEELONG can't afford to lose out-of-contract midfielder Steven Motlop.
The 24-year-old has spent seven seasons at the club and is about to enter the peak years of his career.
His pace and lateral step give him an X-factor that confounds opponents.
It is the sort of flair that can win games and move a team from good to great.
It is what has made him an attractive prospect for several clubs as he comes out of contract at season's end, one year ahead of being eligible for free agency.
The Cats said a couple of weeks ago they would give him space to come to the table.
It appears that time has passed as Motlop makes noises that he is interested in staying, so it seems a matter of doing a deal suitable to both player and club.
That's the difficult part.
The Cats have been good to Motlop since recruiting him.
Motlop says future is bright at Geelong
They stuck by him at the start of his career when he had shoulder injuries and played five senior games in his first three seasons.
They have done that consistently with key players, but they also do so because they suspect a pay-off at the end when their pick No.39 becomes a very, very good player.
Under their guidance and surrounded by experience he has become a quality AFL player who has been outstanding in four of his past five games after a rocky start to the season.
So Motlop should take those factors into account when weighing up what he's worth as he shapes as a player ready to flourish in a familiar environment.
• Who's on the move? Check out the status of 2015's free agents
But Geelong has plenty to consider too when assessing his value.
Motlop has something soon to be in short supply at Geelong, outside run and the brilliance to turn half chances into goals.
He was the difference against the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney. He is creative and bounces away into space, which is now harder to find on a football field than it is in a car boot on a family holiday.
Only Mitch Duncan can do the same and while Nakia Cockatoo gives the impression he possesses the attributes to become a similar player to Motlop at the Cats - who have enjoyed an era of x-factor types that includes Gary Ablett, Paul Chapman, Travis Varcoe and Steve Johnson - he isn't there yet.
Of course three of those players left Geelong to play for another club while the Cats flirted with trading Johnson at the end of 2006.
Johnson's career provides the Cats with an interesting history lesson.
Like Motlop, Johnson had his moments in his first five seasons, playing 67 games but looking unlikely to realise his talent with Geelong.
The Cats nearly lost him to Collingwood, then sent him to limbo to work out whether he wanted to become a professional footballer.
His next nine years have not been perfect but his value has been much higher than anyone would have predicted at the beginning of 2007.
Motlop has kicked 111 goals in 82 games and being a much more solid performer than Johnson was in his first six years.
Both have required work to bring out their best, taking energy from coaches, with coaxing and discipline.
Some question Motlop's desire for team success, but his actions suggest he is driven enough to add more to the team than many players.
If that is a doubt, there needs to be a reconciling of that, because the two parties shouldn't sign unless they're keen about a future together.
Steven Motlop was best on ground against the Giants last week. Picture: AFL Media
Motlop could earn more at another club, and, if he stays at the Cats and plays well in this contract, become a highly sought after free agent next time around.
The Cats understand that.
And Motlop needs to appreciate that isn't the be all and end all either.
However uncertainty about which Motlop Geelong will get if it commits to him long term is surely playing on their minds. Will he stay on the edge or will it breed complacency?
Whatever the Cats value Motlop at next year, the probability is that he will be worth much more in three or four years.
They should back in their total player payments model but remember backing themselves to get the best out of Motlop is the risk clubs take with every player they sign.
The Cats have shown through their recruiting in recent seasons a willingness to take bigger punts than they would take on moving heaven and earth to retain Motlop.
In an 18-team competition, things are changing rapidly with clubs moving closer to spending 50 per cent of the cap on their 10 most important players.
Consider this: if the Cats get Patrick Dangerfield and lose Motlop they have advanced a little.
Miss out on both they go backwards in the short term because in a shallow draft the draft picks they secure for Motlop are unlikely to get them a player of his class.
They might consider keeping Motlop as insurance to get Dangerfield if that becomes a trade situation.
Secure both and they could be in contention very quickly.
Motlop is about to enter the sweet spot. He has an X-factor. The Cats need him more than most.
He has rough edges but it's time to find a way.
