AAP

Charges of assault have been withdrawn against Port Adelaide AFL player Daniel Motlop and he's escaped conviction for swearing at a teammate's girlfriend.

The 29-year-old forward pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday to using offensive language against Jacob Surjan's girlfriend.

Motlop had been due to face trial over the argument at a bar in Glenelg in April last year but entered the guilty plea after a charge of assaulting the woman was dropped.
Prosecutor Sergeant Graham Smith told the court Motlop's fiancee Tahlia DeFazio called him to the bar after arguing with Surjan's girlfriend, who is a friend of the mother of Motlop's son.

Sgt Smith said Motlop got "right up in her face" and yelled: "I don't want you talking to her (DeFazio) you c***!"

"You can f*** off, I want you to f*** off."

Defence lawyer Michael Dadds said Motlop was almost immediately contrite but his apology was rejected.

Magistrate Kym Boxall said the incident appeared to have a lot to do with Motlop's former relationship.

He accepted it was a one-off and that Motlop was otherwise a role model for indigenous people.

He cited a reference from Motlop's former coach, Mark Williams, who believed the incident stemmed from the "protective and caring" side of Motlop's nature.

Mr Boxall fined Motlop $300 and did not convict him.

Outside the court, the Power's football operations manager, Peter Rohde, said the club was pleased the matter was resolved.

"It has been simmering away in the background, at one stage it looked like a number of our players were going to have to give evidence today, which would have been difficult for us to handle," he told reporters.

He said Motlop and Surjan had handled it very maturely.

Motlop, who was last year offered for trade after injury restricted him to nine games, was overlooked for Port's AFL season opener due to disciplinary reasons.

Motlop's undisclosed breach came after he had been a standout performer during Port's pre-season in a bid to make amends.

Mr Rohde said Motlop played very well for the SANFL at the weekend and was likely looking forward to getting back in the team over the next couple of weeks.