While 2025 was not the season Brodie Kemp had hoped for, he's confident the lessons he's learned will hold him in good stead for what's ahead.

The defender-turned-forward, who ruptured his achilles tendon back in Round 5, this week signed on for a seventh and eighth season at IKON Park, which will take him to 2027 at the Blues.

"I'm super excited and still pretty bullish on what this group can do over the next, especially a few years," he said.

"At the start of the year, I was really ready to to play some really good AFL footy, and felt like I was really locking down that forward role, so to go down injured and be out the year was, was really disappointing for me personally, and also those close to me as well.

"It's given me a bit of time to reflect on what I can get better at, what will help me in the role when I return, it's just given me a bit of time to work on that.

The time in rehab provided Kemp with with clarity and reflection on what he wants to get out of himself as a footballer, gaining a different perspective looking from the outside in, and a new appreciation for all aspects of the game.

"You can take it for granted, it's massive cliche on when you're playing, don't take it for granted because anything can happen, and often you forget that, and I'm one that has even spent a lot of time in rehab and still often forget that," he said.

"It just gives you a new appreciation... the best part about playing footy is playing footy, that was something that I really missed this year, that has got me extra excited for when I return next year.

"It's always been a challenge... when you're losing, you want to play and contribute, and then when you're winning, you don't want to miss out on that feeling.

"The club handled my situation really well and allowed me to have a break, about three and a half weeks in Europe during the middle of the season. It gave me a really good reset, and allowed me just to distance myself for a little bit, have a break and it's allowed me to come back really motivated for this off season and then pre-season."

Kemp, who completed his first run back from injury earlier this week, is creating short-term goals for himself as he stays persistent in his recovery.

"I think it's more special playing your first game after rehab, but (the run) was really good. The Achilles felt good during it and then I've pulled up well also, it was an exciting thing to tick off, but still got a long way to go," he said.

"The next phase of my rehab will be just continue running for the next three to four weeks and that'll ramp up as it goes.

"Beyond that, we'll get into some ball work, some change of direction and then from there, it sort of ramps up pretty quickly...Mostly training in December when we return and then we'll be right to go, come match play.

While he isn't look too far ahead, Kemp's overarching goal is clear.

"I just really want to take that next step at AFL level," he said.

"A lot of players in my draft year this year, were able to do that, and I felt like I was ready, (but I) unfortunately, went down.

"I really want to to play some really high-level AFL footy."