Jesse Motlop Biography

The 'hand chop' celebration, now a staple of Jesse Motlop's game, means dhapirrk in the Yolngu Matha language used by the Indigenous people of North-East Arnhem Land.

It's a celebration also used by his father, Daniel Motlop, throughout his later years spent playing for Yartapuulti, one that was passed on to him by the late Gary Dhurrkay.

"It was passed down through Yolngu family and the late Gary Dhurrkay, who played for Fremantle and North Melbourne. I wore No.19 at North Melbourne because of Gary Dhurrkay, who wore that for our family club the Wanderers in Darwin," Daniel Motlop said.

"He went on to play for Fremantle and then, from there, we were adopted into the Yolngu family, Gumatj clan up there. The totem, the crocodile or baru as you call it, is from that area.

"We carried that tradition and the celebration of the hand chop, which means dhapirrk or 'deadly' or 'good' in that Yolngu language. I used it in a match when Gary passed away and then I used it ever since.

"It goes further than footy. It goes all the way back into the north-east Arnhem Land community and people really know what it is. It's amazing Jesse can use it and obviously bring that culture through from our First Nations families."

Young Carlton forward Jesse Motlop reflects on his first season in the AFL in an exclusive interview with Yokayi Footy.

"The training load got me, definitely," he said. "The first day I remember being the most uncomfortable I'd ever been ... I just needed to get off the ground, and I did probably half the load.

"And I remember my first game, there was no time for rest. I was always struggling.

"But in the end, I've loved every second of it. I've always wanted to play in the AFL growing up. It was imprinted on me since I was born so to live out that dream hopefully for the next few years, I'm loving it."

Jesse Motlop is preparing to relaunch his podcast Deadly Discussions.

"Deadly Discussions is planned to come back after the bye. It has been a long time coming now. I've got a good platform and a lot of players who will surely get on, so it will be pretty fun to do," Motlop said.

"I have the first few planned. I won't give them away now, but I'll definitely try and get the big names like Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and hopefully a lot of boys in the club."

Jesse Motlop makes his AFL debut for Carlton with 9 disposals (7 kicks and 2 handballs), 5 marks, 2 tackles and a goal in a 30-point win over GWS.

Carlton select Jesse Motlop with pick No.27 in the 2021 National Draft.

Draft Report: The skilful speedster is the son of former Port Adelaide and North Melbourne forward Daniel, and he has the brilliant goal sense of his father. After booting six goals, and impressing through the midfield, in four WAFL Colts games to start the year and starring for Aquinas College, Motlop made his League debut for South Fremantle in July. With his second disposal at senior level, Motlop won the ball off hands at ground level and split two Swan Districts defenders twice, before handing off to a teammate who sent the Bulldogs forward, highlighting his sublime ability through traffic and clean hands. The teenager is part of Fremantle's Next Generation Academy but he's unlikely to be available after pick No. 40, when the Dockers would be eligible to match a bid.