THE first season under AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss will go down as one to remember and one of transformation for the Carlton Football Club.
It was a year where a number of Carlton players enjoyed breakthrough seasons, whether that was a key milestone, a landmark achievement, the start of a journey or a career-best campaign.
Year in review
Jesse Motlop had a strong impact for the Blues in his debut season of football, proving himself as a clever pressure forward in 2022.
Part of a new-look ‘mosquito fleet’ in the forward line, alongside the likes of Corey Durdin and Matthew Owies, Motlop broke through in Round 9 and performed his role, putting pressure on around the fall of the ball while utilising his natural instinct to hit the scoreboard.
Motlop certainly didn’t disappoint in his first season, earning his debut in Round 9 after strong VFL form and missing just two senior games from there on the way to 12 for the season. He had fans in the edge of their seats, proving to be electric in the forward 50 and providing big moments with the game on the line.
Showing the Blues that he was one for the future at senior level, Motlop was also able to gain valuable finals experience at VFL level, hitting the scoreboard for the Carlton Reserves in both their elimination and semi finals.
2022 in numbers
Motlop played 12 games for Carlton in 2022, averaging a goal a game: his highest total came in Round 16, where he kicked three goals against the Saints.
AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss made clear in pre-season that the expectation for small forwards was to provide pressure: Motlop did just that, ranking 16th in the competition for tackles inside 50 per game. Motlop managed 1.5 tackles inside 50 a game and over two tackles per game, using manic pressure to lock the ball inside the forward 50 and put his opposition under direct pressure.
At the VFL level, Motlop finished the season with eight goals, producing his best game in Round 2 against Box Hill, contributing 11 disposals and four goals - all in the second half - to lead his team to a 46-point win. From there, a senior debut was a matter of if, not when.
On-field highlight
Motlop will always remember his debut game in Round 9 against the Giants, with his family in the stands and a 30-point win to top off the day.
Playing alongside housemates Jack Carroll and Corey Durdin, Motlop’s first match included his first goal in AFL, kicking truly from a set shot after a strong mark, making it an incredibly special day for the 18-year-old forward.
For a boy that grew up in AFL changerooms, following his father Daniel Motlop around at Port Adelaide, it was surreal to find himself on the receiving end of the traditional Powerade shower post-match.
Off-field highlight
A proud Larrakia man from the Darwin region in the Northern Territory, Motlop participated in his first Sir Doug Nicholls Round at the AFL level, representing the Carlton Indigenous guernsey at the launch and being responsible for the team gift exchange in both the Sydney and Collingwood clash. The former involved rubbing shoulders with none other than Lance Franklin, just a few months removed from his 1000th AFL career goal.
Being able to pull on a Carlton guernsey that represented his culture was an honour for Motlop, who joined his fellow Indigenous teammates in Zac Williams and Jack Martin in 2022. The trio played their first game as a collective in Round 23.
In his words
Ahead of the Round 18 clash with Geelong, Motlop spoke to Andy Maher and Andrew Gaze on SEN Drive about his role under Michael Voss and how he was enjoying his first year of football.
“You’ve got no time for rest, you’re always doing something and you’re always busy out on the field. It’s tough, but I’m loving every second of it.
“Our number one role in the team is to bring the heat to the opposition and really cause that delay and allow for our midfielders and backline to set up.
“It’s nice to get the footy in the hands and try and kick a couple of goals when we can, but when we’re not doing that, we’re providing that chase and the pressure."
