Brodie Kemp and his Carlton VFL team have had a positive start to the 2022 season, the Echuca utility helping the Blues to a 4-1 start and third place on the 21-team ladder.
The VFL competition has both AFL aligned and VFL stand alone teams contesting the premiership this season.
Kemp was pick 18 at the 2019 AFL draft, and despite having all of 2020 wiped out with an ACL injury, played two AFL games in 2021 against GWS and Port Adelaide.
He has had a consistent start to season 2022, in the Blues’ fourth win of the season against Werribee on Saturday he had 15 possessions and took seven marks.
He also had a goal to his credit, having been selected on a wing.
Former Collingwood and Adelaide star Ben Crocker kicked three goals, continuing the form which won him the club’s reserve grade best and fairest last year.
Carlton won the match by 21 points, coming from 10 points down at half-time to lead by a point at the final change of ends.
Carlton kicked five goals to Werribee’s two in the last quarter. Werribee is coached by former Fremantle star, and Shepparton recruit, Michael Barlow.
Kemp only had seven touches and kicked two points in the Blues’ 42-point first round win against Brisbane and then in round two the Blues beat Hawthorn by 46 points.
Kemp had 18 possessions and four tackles, but did not hit the scoreboard. He was selected at centre half-back.
A 52-point round three win against Gold Coast Suns where he had 19 possessions and laid four tackles, after being selected at full-back, continued his run of form.
The Blues lost their first game of the season to Richmond in round four when Kemp was selected on a wing. He kicked a goal and had 10 possessions, with six marks and laid two tackles.
Leitchville’s Marty Hore did not play for North Melbourne in its 44-point loss to Frankston.
Rochester’s Joe Atley had 19 touches, five tackles and seven clearances for Essendon in its 58-point loss to Collingwood. Two weeks ago he was again among the Bombers’ best, having returned after a week at Rochester, with 19 touches, nine tackles and eight clearances in a 25-point loss to Port Melbourne.
Angus Byrne, who has had a hamstring injury in recent weeks, was expected to be considered for selection by Geelong last night. If we wasn’t selected he was available to play with Echuca, against Mansfield, this weekend.