Averaging 15 disposals per game, Motlop told the Geelong Advertiser he was pleased with his progress thus far, though needed to improve around the contested ball, averaging just 3.2 contested possessions.
“I feel like I am getting into the game,” Motlop said.
“But I am probably disappointed I am not in it enough. It’s something I have got to work on, but I am lucky that I have some great coaches that I can work on that with,” Motlop said.
The livewire midfielder needed surgery to fix a long-running problem with his patella tendon in his right knee after a modified program over summer failed to improve it.
Initially the 23 year old was told to expect 8-10 weeks out, however, the Cats medical team were keen to be cautious with the talented young gun, delaying his return till after 14 weeks.
His inability to play enabled him to spend time in the gym and strengthen his previously troubling shoulders and quads, resulting in a five-kilo muscle mass gain.
“I feel like I am getting a bit fitter,” Motlop said.
The 2013 All-Australian nominee admitted the lack of preseason training had taken a toll on his overall fitness however.
“It’s hard missing the preseason, but you know, I am five games in a row now and I feel like I am getting fitter and fitter.
“I had a bit more run in the midfield this week and I am just getting used to it,” Motlop said.
Motlop, who finished fifth in last years best and fairest, showed promise and spark against Carlton on Friday night but was let down by inconsistency, reflective of the Cats performance as a team.
“I think we have to go back and look at the vision and really work on our contested ball… It’s what’s really letting us down at the minute,” Motlop said.
“That’s the good thing about this group… We are very competitive and we all want to get better.
“So we will train and we will fix it up,” Motlop said.
The young Cat hopes to spend more time in the midfield as his fitness improves.
