UNTAPPED.

While Carlton players, coaches and fans alike are loving the trajectory that Brodie Kemp is finding himself on in 2023. 

However, his line coach in Aaron Hamill is all too aware that his best football is still well and truly in front of him — and after re-signing with Carlton for another two years, his development in the Navy Blue will continue. 

It was an interrupted start to life in football for Kemp, entering the system with an ACL injury while also negotiating back and ankle injuries throughout his time at Carlton. But 2023 has clearly been Kemp’s best in the system, emerging as arguably the most improved Blue of the current campaign with 11 games this season, including the last nine in a row.

Speaking on Carlton Coaches’ Corner, Hamill analysed Kemp’s form so far in 2023, saying the young defender has put his best foot forward ever since earning his stripes with the Carlton Reserves to start the campaign.

“We really like his progress,” Hamill said.

“It’s no surprise that he’s going in the direction that we want him to get to and reach. We still think he’s untapped, but we like his ability to defend in the contest.

“He got his opportunity and we really like what he’s dishing up at the moment. It’s a credit to him . . . but we never take anything for granted, and neither does he. He knows he’s got a hell of a lot of improvement to go, having played 11 games.”

After getting a strong block of VFL football under his belt, Kemp wasted no time proving his wares at the elite level, taking an intercept mark 15 seconds into his first game of the year: he’s averaged three intercept marks since then, sitting inside the top 20 in the AFL for the stat per game.

In the case of Kemp, Hamill said it was a case of using his weapons, and the support he gets each and every week will allow him to do exactly that. 

“He’s in good company playing alongside Jacob Weitering, who’s played over 150 games, plus Newman and Adam Saad who’s down there,” he said.

“We want to keep maximising his strengths where we can. Hopefully the longer he plays, the more he’s able to get into the system. What I will say is he’s keen to learn, he absorbs a lot.

“His intercept marking and ability to take the ball at its highest point [are his strengths], but what comes before that is his ability to read the play. 

“We want him to play on instinct, which is what we’ve season. With the ball, we want him to get going forward more and be able to execute under pressure more when the heat comes. That’s part of his growth that he’s working towards.”