Blues Blast Back! Did Kemp Spark Carlton’s Turnaround?

Brodie Kemp talked about the Blues’ capacity to bounce back from a setback against the Cats.

BRODIE Kemp was a member of the Carlton team that let Geelong score 118 points against them in Round 7.

AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss referred to the performance as “unacceptable” at the press conference following the game, even though the Blues scored 105 points in a high-scoring loss.

The message was very clear: unless Carlton adopted a defensive bias in its style of play, it would not be at its best.

And even though the Blues scored 21 goals on Friday night, they were largely set up by their actions off the ball.

The Blues’ attack on the Cats was relentless, and they finished the game with 80 tackles (their equal season-high). It was undoubtedly their most comprehensive effort of the year. The Blues won by 63 points.

Kemp used the occasion to reflect on that Round 7 loss and how it set the stage for the Blues’ current success as they earned their tenth victory of the season.

“At that point, we were a different team. We learned to respect defense a little bit more from that game, which was beneficial, Kemp said.

“Doing it tonight was the contrast. We prioritized the game’s defensive elements before launching an offensive. It was rather satisfying to just give up about 70 points against a very strong scoring team.

“It was a solid victory, most definitely the best we’ve performed as a team overall.”

Kemp had the most spoils of any player on the field with seven, and his backline has been largely established in the last few weeks with the return of Mitch McGovern and Adam Saad.

Kemp commended McGovern for his work on Jeremy Cameron, but he reserved special attention for a defensive coordinator who took yet another victim on Friday night.

Jacob Weitering repeatedly blocked Geelong in a performance that did no harm to his chances of earning his first All-Australian selection.

“His leadership is excellent, and he is quite dependable in his contest. Over the past few years, I’ve recorded just how much he’s done for me and my profession.

He played a significant role in my so-called breakout year last year, to be sure. That confidence came from him.

“He leads me brilliantly on the field by directing me and, more importantly, by listening to my criticism. He is an excellent leader for our group and approaches things with humility.