Melbourne Victory's Matthew Kemp discusses all things football

Yes I know in he's in an Adelaide shirt. I'm waitingfor some kind Victory fan to send an update.


Melbourne Victory’s Matthew Kemp discusses his recent move from Adelaide United, the technical side of the game and what it takes to become a professional footballer.

Former Belnorth junior and Canberran born Matthew Kemp is enjoying life in the A-League with his new club, Melbourne Victory.

Having joined the Victory after two seasons with Adelaide United, Kemp is keen to make a good impression.

He’s already been to China with Victory on their pre-season tour and has started all pre-season games at right back. Clearly Coach Ernie Merrick sees him as a straight replacement for Simon Storey who has headed off to Scotland.

“I’m enjoying it at Melbourne. Ernie’s got me playing right-back. Last year I was left-back at Adelaide and centre midfield in the Asian Champions League. I’m happy to play anywhere. It’s been a very positive environment so far.”

Any changes you’ve noticed after changing clubs?

“Victory is a little more professional in their set-up. So that’s good. It was great to meet all the boys. I knew Ljubo (Milicevic) from our time together at the AIS, other than that I knew no-one,” said Kemp.

“Pre-season results haven’t been the best but you can see we’re getting going. With Archie (Thompson) coming back we’ll be ready for the start of the A-League.”

How is your fellow Canberran Kaz Patafta going?

“Kaz is doing really well. He’s good on the ball, got a good touch. Like all young players he needs to develop, and get stronger, but he’s going well.”

Kemp started at the AIS, played in Italy, the National Soccer League, and with Adelaide United in the A-League and the Asian Champions League. Australian footballers are often criticised for a lack of technique, in this how you see Aussie players?

“Well of course technique is important. First touch, and how accurate you can pass are very important. Funny but when you play in Australia you can often tell the players that have been through the AIS and those that haven’t.”

So are Aussies behind their Asian counterparts?

“Not necessarily, I don’t think so. In last years ACL the Vietnamese side weren’t as good as us. And the Korean and Chinese side were not much ahead of us. Remember Adelaide has some excellent touch players. Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite, Jason Spagnuola and Bobby Petta to name a few.”

“Obviously the less you give the ball away the better for your team. But physical qualities and speed are also important. I’ve seen many players with far better technique than me but they never made it. Why? They didn’t have the right attitude.
Kemp adds, “I’d put attitude as the most important characteristic. All the skill in the world, if you don’t have the right attitude you won’t make it.”

So what do the young players of Canberra or Melbourne need to do as a teenager to make it? Is it football, football, football?

“For me I played and trained each week of course. But I never took it seriously or thought about it as a career until I went to the AIS. That made me realise what I could achieve.”

“At the AIS, it was training three times a day. Before school, and in between lessons. It was hard.”

“My parents always supported me. I went through Kaleen High School in Canberra. And I wished I’d studied more,” Kemp laughs.

“In fact I’m just starting to think about life beyond football. I’m 27 now. Clubs help you with career advice these days. The Football Federation are pretty good on this. I’d love to Coach; give something back maybe start with juniors.”

“I’m not sure what I’ll do beyond football. Perhaps my own business. At school I always wanted to be a fire-fighter. I won’t be deskbound I know that.”

“For now I’m looking forward to the new season, hoping Victory can win another Grand Final. That’s what I’ve come for.”