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Player Fantasy Profile
Position: Midfield/Forward
Price: $463 000 (AFL Fantasy)
Steven Motlop is one of the most exciting, energetic young small forwards in the competition and is a valuable selection in any mode of fantasy. Casting back to his game changing display in Round 15 against Essendon, there is valuable evidence to justify the hype surrounding the energetic Motlop. Even while subject to a negating tag from the Bombers, Motlop showed passages of pure excellence, putting on a master class with two audacious check-side goals in the last quarter that would be featured in highlight videos for the remainder of the 2014 season. He eclipsed the 80 point mark in all facets of the fantasy world.
Essentially, Motlop has presumed Steve Johnson’s role playing exclusively as a midfield forward, while averaging one goal a game, converting his shots at a touch over 50%. 2014 was arguably Motlop’s best year to date after averaging 82 in AFL Fantasy.
After an injury delayed start, Motlop returned to the senior side in Round 7 of the season and struggled to find form upon his reinstalment into the best 22. The second half of the season saw a change in fortunes where he went on to average a cool 93 fantasy points from Round 13 onwards, including five scores over 95 in both forms of fantasy including a high of 125 (AFL Fantasy).
Motlop’s scintillating late season form was also correlated with the return of fellow speedster Allen Christensen into the side. With Bundy now resuming post at Brisbane, Motlop becomes Geelong’s most dangerous and damaging small forward and as such will receive the opposition’s best small defender.
In order to reach the top echelon of forward options, Motlop’s consistency is an area of most concern. While he is more than capable of eclipsing the fabled 100 mark barrier in both formats, generating these scores on consistent basis would enhance his status as an elite fantasy prospect. As a small forward type, Motlop spends the majority of his game time down forward, and as a result has limited access and opportunity to accumulate effective disposals to boost his fantasy credentials.
Motlop is a ball hunter, an outside type player who thrives on breaking lines and taking players on. While this may look enlightening, he rarely applied pressure and the third fewest tackle count of any midfield forward during the home and away season.
With the benefit of undertaking a full preseason heading into the 2015 season, there is no doubt Motlop has the capacity to mix it with the best of forward options available to coaches. At just 24 years of age, Motlop is entering the prime of his career, which should also bare a healthy and prosperous fantasy relevant future ahead. Motlop is definitely a unique selection in AFL Fantasy; however coaches willing to take a chance on the Geelong prodigy could be repaid immensely.
