Echuca’s Kemp feeling good ahead of new role

By Matthew Kappos

Mar 13, 2025

Echuca’s Brodie Kemp has embraced a new attacking role at Carlton. Photo: AAP/Richard Wainwright.

After the taster of the eventual two-game opening round, the AFL season kicks off in earnest this week.

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The first match of round one will see Carlton take on Richmond at the MCG, and a local Blue is looking forward to taking on a new role this season.

2019 draftee Brodie Kemp, who transitioned from defence into the forward line at the tail end of last season, has a full offseason under his belt in the new position and is looking forward to the new challenge.

In Carlton’s final pre-season hitout, on February 28 against GWS, Kemp looked good in attack, taking five marks inside 50 and kicking three goals.

Kemp told club media after the game that he was settling in well in his new role.

“I’ve got some good people around me and the team today played really well,” he said.

“Guys like Lachie Fogarty, Jesse Motlop and Zac Williams were blocking my man so I could get a run and jump at it, and I was fortunate to get on the end of a few.

“As a kid, I loved running and jumping for marks, and you can probably do that a bit more freely as a forward.”

Kemp was already battling a ruptured ACL when he was drafted by the Blues with pick 17 of the 2019 draft, and wouldn’t make his debut until 2021.

After six appearances across the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Kemp broke into the side as a back in 2023 and now has 44 top-flight appearances.

Also in the AFL, new local recruits are gearing up for their sides’ first matches of the season.

Leitchville-Gunbower Football Netball Club product James Barrat is working with the St Kilda squad ahead of the Saints' first fixture at 12.35pm on Sunday, against Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.

Moama Football Netball Club alum Jobe Shanahan’s West Coast Eagles will take on the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium later that day, with first bounce set for 6.10pm.