MOTLOP TO MAKE BLUES DEBUT

Words courtesy carlton.fc.com.au

Jesse Motlop will make his AFL debut against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.

Announced to the playing group on Friday morning, Motlop – who was drafted to Carlton with pick No.27 in the 2021 NAB AFL Draft – will get his chance on Sunday at Giants Stadium.

The small forward has provided excitement on both sides of the ball for the Carlton Reserves this year, producing six goals at VFL level and averaging just shy of four tackles per gamHe was at his damaging best in Round 2 against Box Hill, when he kicked four goals in the second half to instigate a breakthrough win.

Now, the son of former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide excitement machine Daniel will continue the Motlop legacy at the elite level: not since 1998 has the AFL competition been without a Motlop, with his uncle Steven also currently playing at Alberton.

In doing so, he joins his housemates – fellow West Australian Jack Carroll and small forward Corey Durdin – as the three youngest Blues making the trip to take on GWS, with the news confirmed by AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss at this morning’s press conference.

Jesse Motlop played 8 WAFL League games for South Fremantle in 2021, kicking 9 goals. His last Club appearance being a livewire performance in the 2021 WAFL Grand Final in front of 30,000 fans at Optus Stadium.