Echuca's Brodie Kemp will finally realise his childhood dream when he makes his long-awaited AFL debut for Carlton tomorrow.
Blues coach David Teague confirmed the 20-year-old's debut ahead of their round 22 game against Port Adelaide, with the young gun rewarded for his good form in Carlton's reserves side.
“He's (Brodie) had a tough run,” Teague said, as he fronted the media on Thursday.
“But he's a strong defender, marks the ball well and uses it pretty well out of the back half.
“He's got a bit of dash, but we see him fitting in as a third tall down in the back half.”
With Brodie set to run out on Adelaide Oval tomorrow 626 days after he was taken with pick 17 in the 2019 NAB AFL draft, it will be the culmination of resiliency for the Echuca product.
He ruptured his ACL only a few months prior to the draft which hampered his transition into the AFL system. On his return to training, he rolled his ankle which led to scans confirming a syndesmosis injury that led to another stint on the sidelines.
“After all the setbacks I've had with injuries, to finally hear Teaguey say "Kempy, you're playing this week", it was something where I sort of had a moment, a bit of relief,” Kemp said.
“It's what you work for, and I've had a longer journey than most, but I'm just rapt to play this week.”
“It was a bit of a different look, coming into the AFL system knowing I wouldn't play in that first year.
“And then doing the back and the syndesmosis at the start of the year delayed it further.
“It was tough at times, but the main thing for me was staying positive, and looking at the perspective that I'm 19, 20 years of age and I've got a lot of footy still left.
“I knew my time would come.”
Following the announcement, brother Mitch, 22, said the family couldn't be prouder of Brodie and his achievements so far.
“It's been a while. Obviously he's been in the AFL system for a couple seasons now,” Mitch said.
“A debut with a couple of rounds left is good. It's definitely exciting.
“I haven't spoke to him today (Thursday) but I'm sure he's getting inundated with messages now it's been announced publicly.”
With current COVID-19 and border restrictions making it hard for friends and family to attend AFL games, Brodie said the experience would be bittersweet.
“It will be a bit of a shame not to have my family there, but given the circumstances, with nearly all the state struggling, to debut in Adelaide still gives me the opportunity to get that atmosphere,” he said.
Mitch echoed Brodie's statement, but said the family would come together to watch from afar.
“I think the family will watch it together,” Mitch said. "We might even go to the pub, because you can't have visitors in your house.
“So we might go put it on the big screen with some friends and family.
“The extended family are all really excited though, and his grandparents are rapt.”
Following his successive injuries, the midfielder finally played his first competitive game in the VFL back in May, where he strung together several impressive performances.
Rumours have circulated of his debut in recent weeks, with a video released by the Blues several weeks ago at training showing Kemp being swamped by jubilant teammates after a successful set shot at goal - traditionally an indicator of a player making their debut.
Alas, Kemp was named as an emergency that round - but not this time.
Mitch said it was funny how that rumour of an expected debut spread, explaining the mix-up had come from a regular-old goal kicking competition which Brodie won for his team.
“A few people prematurely posted he was debuting from that, so he's already had the whirlwind of everyone saying congrats before,” Mitch said.
“I think this time, he'll be used to it, and he'll go over there and enjoy playing football.
“The first game is about going out there and enjoying it, have fun and appreciate the novelty of it. He'll love it.”
Ahead of tomorrow's game, Brodie said his goal was enjoy everything about the experience - with a win against Port Adelaide a definite cherry on top.
“I've wanted to be involved in it for so long, so the big thing for me is going in with the mindset that I'm going to enjoy it and I'll obviously make mistakes, but I'll go out there and give 110 percent and do everything I can to help the team,” he said.
Brodie's debut will also coincide with former captain Marc Murphy's 300th and final game in the navy blue jumper.
“It will be a very special day for the footy club; Murph has done a lot for the footy club,” Brodie said.
“He captained them and led them through a pretty dark patch a few years ago.
“He's an incredible leader and person at the club.
“I'm pretty grateful that I get to play my first game alongside one of the Carlton greats and greats of AFL footy.”
Carlton will play Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, August 14 from 4.35pm. The game can be viewed on Fox Footy or Kayo.