Marlon Motlop – Wanderers/Northern Territory
Ht: 176 cm Wt: 76 kg

Junior position – Midfield / HFF

AFL position – Midfield / HFF/FP

A lot of people were looking at Motlop with high expectations coming into the Champs this year and in all honesty he was a little disappointing. Clubs though are going to remember the U16 Champs last year where he was outstanding being named the best Div 2 player and leading the NT to the title. This year he struggled a little to adjust to the bigger bodies at U18 especially against NSW where he was virtually invisible. He improved as the Champs went along but was still not among the best for NT. Despite the ordinary performance at the Champs he is an exciting prospect with good skills, pace and awareness and balance. He plays a bit like Rioli in that he can play in the middle or up forward and a team that picked him up would be hoping he develops much the same way. He looks like he will develop a fairly solid build which should stand up to AFL football well. He is going to get picked up by a club with an eye to the future which can stash him away for a year or two to develop. Given time he could be a very nice player.

Strengths: He has a great deal of natural talent, is quick and good around goals.
Weaknesses: Endurance needs to improve. Needs to get stronger and work harder to get the ball.

Question marks: Given his struggles against the bigger U18 bodies how will he cope with AFL players?

Draft Prediction: 20-50