Motlop the musical Cat

IT’S A wet, grey day in Dublin and Steven Motlop is entertaining the locals with his take on Miguel’s Candles in the Sun.

Strumming a borrowed acoustic guitar in a downtown music shop, the Geelong forward confesses to some nerves before starting to sing.

But he hits all the right notes as he sings about “diamonds … babies on crack … white-collared war crime … and heroes often get(ting) shot”.

And Motlop seems almost as comfortable with a guitar in his hands as he does a Sherrin.

Music Minds’ owner and staff form a captive audience around the front of the shop, while even the self-proclaimed best busker in Dublin – forced indoors by the rain – is enjoying the show.

When he is finished singing, Motlop buys a guitar tiny enough to comfortably take on the Australian team bus, something that will help kill time as he and his teammates travel around Ireland for the International Rules Series.

Earlier, Motlop told AFL.com.au he could thank his family for his love of music.

“I grew up playing a bit of music. All of my uncles and cousins knew the guitar and were always sitting around playing,” Motlop said.

“And when we had family gatherings I was always the youngest so I always sang. I’ve played guitar since I was about 12.

“Footy’s a pretty stressful life so it’s pretty good for me to get home and get on the couch and pick up the guitar.”

Motlop is handy enough on guitar to have written and recorded a few songs. His style? Acoustic R&B.

When he returns to Australia at the end of this month, Motlop is booked into a studio to work with two-time ARIA Award-winner Monique Brumby.

But for now Motlop is focused on the International Rules Series, which kicks off with the first Test at Breffni Park in Cavan on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old is cherishing being part of the first indigenous sporting team to represent Australia overseas in 145 years.

“We’re all proud and proud of our heritage. We just really respect the game and are just really looking forward to playing against Ireland,” he says.

Motlop believes to beat Ireland Australia will have to counteract the home team’s superior use of the round ball with unrelenting pressure.

Now one of the most electrifying small forwards in the AFL, Motlop, like most in the Australian team, is custom-made to carry out that brief with his speed.

He should also be able to hit the scoreboard for the Australians.

In 2013, Motlop kicked 44 goals to build on his breakthrough 2012 season, when he played 22 games and kicked 26 goals.

At top pace running back into an open forward line, Motlop is one of the scariest propositions any defender will ever face.

But Motlop is not the overnight sensation some might think.

He was dogged by shoulder injuries at the start of his career and after three reconstructions played just five games in his first three seasons.

“Every player goes through injuries and it’s tough,” Motlop said.

“Watching the success we had in ’09 when I first got there and seeing a lot of young guys playing in the Grand Final in 2011 when I’d played a few games, it was really tough.

“But that’s footy. What can you do? You can only train harder and try and get on the track and try and enjoy that success as well.”

Motlop said he was helped through those tough times by his parents, who moved to Geelong early in his career, and teammates Mathew Stokes, Travis Varcoe and Nathan Djerrkura.

The Cat says he was confident if he could get his body right he could play good AFL football, but is thankful for the patience Geelong showed.

“After overcoming those injuries and finally getting in the side the coaches gave me a licence to just play footy, which is how I’ve always played since I was young,” Motlop said.

“I got in and now I’m confident. I play around some great teammates, guys that have played in a few Grand Finals.  And that’s probably the best thing, watching those guys every week.”

As he eyes next season, Motlop is looking to build his fitness and strength so he can spend some time playing as an inside midfielder.

He is also confident the Cats can bounce back from their preliminary final loss to Hawthorn to give the premiership another shake in 2014.

“We know our best footy can hold up in big games so, again, we’re just looking forward to next year because we know we can contend.”