Steve Motlop turned 19 in March but has already had two shoulder reconstructions (on each side) and a third major operation after dislocating his shoulder in his AFL debut against Hawthorn in round two this year.
The good news is that he returned to VFL action on the weekend and all involved were pretty happy with how he went.
Playing as a small forward, Motlop kicked three goals, felt fresh and fit, and more importantly, said he pulled up really well from his first hit-out for three months.
He played just six matches in his first season (2009) and Saturday’s was just his second match this season, although he played in all the NAB Cup/Challenge games.
His latest surgery involved major work inside the shoulder joint but the club and Motlop are hoping it spells the end of his woes.
“Hopefully it works, it has done for a few players like Andrew Walker (Carlton), he hasn’t had a problem since he had this surgery,” Motlop said.
Motlop is still a lithe 182cm and 75kg and believes his shoulder issues are partly the result of his build.
“My brother Daniel (Port Adelaide) has a pretty buggered shoulder too, his right one, so I think it is in the family genes somewhere - or else I am just too skinny,” he said.
“I have put on a few kilos, I lost a few after the operation, but I put back about 4kg. I am still trying to get a lot bigger than I am, my aim would be to play at 80kg.”
That would put him in the same weight bracket as the likes of David Wojcinski, Travis Varcoe and Mathew Stokes.
The latter two are also proving models for Motlop’s on-field role as a small forward in the VFL.
“It is the same sort of role so I watch their edits and try and emulate them and see what they are doing,” he said.
“I played half-forward most of the game and was lucky enough to get a couple of goals, but my aim was really to get through the game, so I was pretty happy with that.
“Hopefully I can get through the season with the VFL and get us into finals, we need to win our last five I reckon (to make it).
“We are a young side and we are still learning. We play good in patches and bad in patches.
“After that I’m looking forward to another pre-season, doing the weights and getting a lot stronger. I always do exercises to strengthen the shoulders so hopefully all goes well.”
The reasons why Motlop seems to have settled in so well at Geelong revolve around the support he has received since heading south.
He initially moved in with Gove local, Nathan Djerrkura, who was best player in the VFL on Saturday, and in January his parents - Stephanie and Eddie - moved down from Darwin to help their youngest.
“I am living with them about a five-minute drive from the club,” Motlop said.
“Mum was able to take long-term leave and dad got a transfer in his job. It’s great being able to go home and see them after training and get in that comfort zone.
“They just wanted to come down for a couple of years and help out.”
He has also seen first-hand, via his brothers Shannon and Daniel, what is involved in being an AFL player.
They remain his heroes and he gets constant feedback from his older siblings.
He also remembers well his one taste of AFL action at the MCG, although it was short-lived.
“I only last until the second quarter when Hawkie (Tom Hawkins) put his knee into me,” Motlop said.
“Even though I didn’t last very long, I had only had about two kicks I think, it was a good experience and you want to get back there.”
