THE 2026 season has seen Carlton welcome back some similar faces to the fold.

Matthew Cottrell returned for his first game in nearly a year last Saturday night, while Nic Newman has put together a month of AFL football after a knee injury wiped out his entire 2025.

Then there’s Brodie Kemp, who last week produced four goals against quality opposition in what was his seventh consecutive game for the season.

Kemp only managed five games last year before a ruptured Achilles on 12 April 2025, but the defender-turned-forward has been a growing presence in the Carlton forward line in recent weeks.

Speaking to Carlton Media, Kemp said the opportunity to pull on the Navy Blue jumper every week is all the more special given his predicament this time last year.

“I know it’s been hard not getting the wins, but I’ve really enjoyed my time [playing]. I’m loving working and playing with ‘H’, ‘Wilbur’, ‘Gov’, all the forwards. We’ve got a really good group,” Kemp said.

“It’s nice to be back playing, that’s for sure. This time last year I was unfortunately on the sidelines and going to be for the rest of the year.

“Getting footy under your belt always helps, especially after missing a year. It’s nice to get that body of work: I’m starting to find a bit of form which is nice, but I can always be better… and add new things to my game.

“I’m just enjoying playing footy.”

Kemp’s seven consecutive games to start 2026 has been his longest stint in the side as a forward, after breaking into the Carlton team in 2023 and 2024 as a defender.

He was alongside Mitch McGovern then, who has recently rejoined Kemp back in the forward line as a damaging option in the Blues’ front half - even if that has meant vacating their old posts next to co-vice captain Jacob Weitering.

All over the ground, Kemp and the Blues are trying to keep the energy high, in full belief that a turn in results is coming.

“‘Weiters’ is still talking to us, he still gets around us. I almost think I’ve gotten closer with ‘Weiters’ since moving forward, because I probably don’t let him down as much!

“[The team’s focus] is keep playing our way, knowing that it’s close to turn. We’re still playing some pretty good footy, even though we’re not getting wins - it’s doubling down on that and playing ‘us’ for longer.”