Fremantle chance’s of landing Jesse Motlop in the draft have copped a massive hit thanks to a sub-section in the AFL’s academy rules.
The son of former Port Adelaide and North Melbourne forward Daniel is free to go to a rival AFL club in the first 40 picks of this year’s national draft without the Dockers being able to match, not the first 20 as first thought.
The West Australian understands Fremantle has received approval for the talented goal kicker, who kicked two goals in a sparkling senior debut for South Fremantle this month, to be part of their metropolitan Indigenous development zone.
The AFL last year changed the Next Generation Academy rules to mean clubs would only have the right to match a bid on their academy players outside the first 20 picks this year, and the first 40 picks next year and beyond. The changes were made partially in response to pressure from rival clubs after Western Bulldogs academy prospect Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was taken with the No.1 pick.
The little-known ruling which affects Motlop is understood to apply to all metro-based Indigenous academy prospects, who will all be available to any club within the first 40 picks this year. Multicultural academy members, like West Coast prospect Ethan Regan, and Indigenous players from regional or rural areas are still only fair game within the first 20 picks.
The latest tweak is understood to be in response to rival clubs who feared the level of Indigenous talent in the Perth and Adelaide metro areas would give WA and South Australian clubs an unfair advantage.
While his national under-19s carnival performance will likely dictate how high he goes in the draft, early indications are that Motlop is among the best 40 draft prospects in the country. It may force Fremantle to jump with one of their early picks at this year’s draft.
This year’s first five picks are expected to include Collingwood father-son pick Nick Daicos and Bulldogs father-son pick Sam Darcy.
Jesse Motlop playing for Aquinas last season, when he topped the PSA goal kicking.
Jesse Motlop playing for Aquinas last season, when he topped the PSA goal kicking.
The Dockers have a history of bringing in their NGA players with Joel Western and Brandon Walker both graduating to AFL ranks this season as well as top-10 pick Liam Henry, Jason Carter, Leno Thomas and Isaiah Butters in recent years.
Motlop hasn’t featured in the recent State 19s trial matches because of senior duties for the Bulldogs but is a strong
