Motlop prepared to 'follow the process' ahead of upcoming season

Jackson Clark Published February 7, 2024 at 9.45am (AWST)

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Jesse Motlop has played 33 games for the Blues in his two seasons at the club. (Image: AFL Photos)

Jesse Motlop is hoping to build on an impressive first two seasons in navy blue colours, but he knows that nothing in footy is guaranteed.

Instead, the ultra-professional 20-year-old is simply hoping to continue working hard and following the process.

"I don't want to be too cliché, but I try and follow the process, not putting too many goals that end in results. That can take your mind away from the present and what you're actually doing." Motlop told Fox Sports News.

"To be honest, (last year) is where I learnt it from – it's about the process. We focus on each opposition every week and we don't want to get ahead of ourselves. What we had last year, we need to build again."

The Blues were just one win away from a grand final berth – which would have been their first in 24 years – after being defeated by Brisbane in last year's preliminary final.

*Jesse Motlop celebrates a goal for the Blues. (Image: Getty Images)*

There will be tough competition for spots in the Blues' forward-line with the club's acquisition of former Essendon and Port Adelaide player Orazio Fantasia, and also ex-Gold Coast player Elijah Hollands, who may be used across the half forward flank.

However, Motlop adopted a team-first approach when queried about any potential selection dilemmas.

"We're all about the squad mentality. The way we're training at the moment, you could pick any one of the boys," he said.

"We've got the mosquito fleet and all the tall boys as well. The chemistry is building, everybody is getting along.

"There's 45 of us, and we're all ready."

Motlop played 21 games last year and was a key contributor in the Blues' forward-line, applying plenty of defensive pressure and averaging over a goal a game.

His best return was a career-high four-goal performance against Port Adelaide in a 50-point win at Marvel Stadium in Round 19.

The Larrakia man's father Daniel Motlop played 130 games and kicked 208 goals as a mercurial forward for North Melbourne and Port Adelaide.

Motlop was selected with pick 27 in the 2021 National Draft after a strong season with West Australian Football League club South Fremantle.