PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: Steven Motlop of the Cats celebrates a goal during the round 13 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Geelong Cats at Domain Stadium on June 15, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Geelong coach Chris Scott has declared he hopes Steven Motlop remains in the blue and white hoops for next season.
Talking on Fox Footy on Monday night, Scott showed his strongest support for the out-of-contract star who will enter free agency next month.
"It needs to be played out and there are people at our club who should be the spokesperson for this even ahead of me," Scott told Fox Footy's AFL 360.
"But this is one of the rare occasions I'll talk about what I want – and I sincerely hope that he's a Geelong player next year.
"I'm not sure how I can be any more emphatic than that, and Steve knows that."
Motlop's form has been much talked about in 2017 however a stellar finals series - particularly in games against Sydney and Adelaide - has put Motlop back in the good books (temporarily, at least) of Cats fans.
Motlop was put up for trade at the end of last season and several rival clubs appear interested in one of the most exciting players in the game when in form.
Port Adelaide and North Melbourne set to be leading the race for Motlop's signature should he look to pursue other opportunities for 2018 and beyond.
The 26-year-old has played 135 games for Geelong since joining the club in 2010, and has kicked 175 goals.