Cats' Motlop earns Rising Star nomination

Updated May 08, 2012 11:25:46

Talented Geelong small forward Steven Motlop has been rewarded for a strong start to 2012 with the round-six nomination for the AFL Rising Star award.

Motlop, 21, has held his spot in the Cats' line-up for the opening six games of the year, after only playing a total of five senior matches in the previous two seasons.

He reached new highs in Saturday's 43-point win over Melbourne, finishing with 28 possessions, three marks and a goal.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said Motlop - the brother of former Port Adelaide star Daniel Motlop - had become much more consistent this year.

"We have been extremely impressed with his run which is vital to our side," Scott said.

"He has been able to overcome injury and it is great to see him rewarded with this nomination."

Motlop was selected by Geelong with pick 39 in the 2008 national draft from the Wanderers football club in Darwin.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, geelong-3220

First posted May 08, 2012 10:29:44

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Motlop, Rioli take reins of strugglng Buffaloes

By Kristy O'Brien

Updated January 26, 2012 17:03:55

Two well-known Northern Territory sports identities will try to resurrect the fortunes of struggling NTFL club, the Darwin Buffaloes.

Southern Districts premiership coach Mark Motlop and former Essendon star Dean Rioli will guide the team from next season.

The Buffaloes have had a miserable season, and are yet to win a game.

Since winning the NTFL Premiership in 2005, the club has struggled to produce consistent, winning form

Buffaloes president John Paterson says Motlop has signed a three-year deal as coach, with Rioli likely to be his assistant.

"Dean has ... approached the club and said he wants to participate, and be involved in some sort of role, which he and Mark will sort out in due course," he said.

The Buffaloes hope current coach Damien Zammit will stay with the club as a player.

Rioli says the NTFL club should be very competitive next season.

Rioli, who will play a key recruiting role for the club, says there is no reason the winless Buffaloes can't be competing in the finals next season.

"You know, they are getting beaten by 100 to 150 points each week this year," he said.

"But I think with the players that we have already spoken to, we are going to have a very competitive side.

"It is just a matter of getting them to gel.

"I can't see why, in three years, we shouldn't be aiming for a premiership again."

Tags: australian-football-league, sports-organisations, regional, clubs-and-associations, darwin-0800

First posted January 26, 2012 13:35:46

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Interview: Daniel Motlop

Published:Saturday, May 21, 2011 5:59 AESTExpires:Friday, August 19, 2011 5:59 AEST

Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop told Anthony Tucker and the Grandstand team that coach Matthew Primus encouraged his side to play more attacking football in the second half of their loss to the Dockers, but the Power need to play for four quarters in order to win.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia

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Hunt spoils away from Motlop

 Published:Saturday, April 23, 2011 6:47 AEST

Karmichael Hunt of the Suns spoils the ball over Daniel Motlop of the Power during the round five AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Gold Coast Suns at AAMI Stadium on April 23, 2011 in Adelaide.

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