Denan Kempis an Australian former professionalrugby leaguefootballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s in theNational Rugby League(NRL) and a current online sports content creator. Kemp played in the NRL for theBrisbane Broncosand theNew Zealand Warriors,usually on thewing.He also had a brief stint inrugby unionin 2011, playing forSouthern Districtsin theShute Shieldcompetition.
 Kemp playing for Brisbane Broncos | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Denan Kemp | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 11 May 1987 Gold Coast,Queensland,Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 92 kg (14 st 7 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby league | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing,Fullback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby union | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source:[2] As of 14 Sep 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Post football Kemp launched his own podcast and beer company, which has seen him described as "one of the most influential, Rugby League online content creators."[3]
Early years
editKemp attended St Michael's College, Merrimac. Kemp went on to play rugby league with theBrisbane Westsin theQueensland Cupbefore joining Brisbane Broncos feeder club, theToowoomba Clydesdaleswhere he played on the wing in their 2006 Queensland Cup Grand Final defeat.[4]He then was transferred to theAspley Broncosin 2007 by the Brisbane Broncos.[5][6]
Brisbane
editKemp made hisfirst gradedebut for the Broncos in round 10 of the2007 NRL season,against theManly-Warringah Sea Eagles.During the game Kemp scored an individual 75 metre try. This try was voted as the third best of the2007 NRL seasonby NRL.com.[7]
In 2008, Kemp started the season strongly coming up with four tries in his first three games. He went on to play 24 games for the club in 2008. In round 12 he scored 4 tries while playing against theParramatta Eels,placing him equal second on most tries scored in a game for the club.[8]The record came just hours after he had announced that he was joining theNew Zealand Warriorsfor the 2009 season. When not selected for the first grade side, Kemp turned out for theNorths Devilsin theQueensland Cup.[9]
Kemp was Brisbane's top try-scorer in 2008 and was named the club's rookie of the year.[10]
New Zealand Warriors
editOn 28 May 2008, theNew Zealand Warriorsannounced that they had signed Kemp for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.[11][12]Whilst at the Warriors he took on goal-kicking responsibilities for the club for the first half of the 2009 season.
In round 2 of the 2009 season, Kemp kicked the match winning conversion from the sideline to defeat theManly-Warringah Sea Eagleswith 28 seconds left. However, for much of the season Kemp could not break into the first grade side, instead he was assigned toOtahuhuand played for theAuckland Vulcansin theNSW Cup.Near the end of the season he asked for a release so he could return to Queensland to rebuild his National Rugby League career.[13][14]Kemp played in eleven games for the Warriors, scoring 46 points. 2009 was also the first year Kemp was featured on NRL cards, featuring in both Select & Daily Telegraph sets.
Second stint with Brisbane
editOn 16 September 2009, Kemp announced that he re-signed with theBrisbane Broncosfor the2010 NRL season,after being granted an early release from the final year of his contract with the Warriors.[15]An injury prevented him from claiming a full-time spot in the first grade side. In round 1 2010, against theNorth Queensland Cowboys,he scored the final try which won the game for the Broncos 30-24. He played for theWynnum Manly Seagullsin the 2011Queensland Cup,before joining theAustralian Rugby Unionin April 2011.[16][17]
Rugby union
editIn April 2011 Kemp signed a contract with theAustralian Rugby Unionand was a part of theAustralian Sevens squadthat traveled to London for theIRB Sevens.
Kemp turned out during the 2011 season for theSouthern Districts Rugby Clubside in Sydney'sShute Shield.[17]
St George Illawarra
editOn 20 November 2011, Kemp signed for one year with theSt George Illawarra Dragonsin 2012.[17] Kemp played in the2012 Charity Shieldgame for the Dragons, but never took the field in a first-grade game, as he was mainly relegated to the club'sNSW Cupside, theIllawarra Cutters.
Third stint with Brisbane
editOn 18 January 2013, Kemp signed a one-year deal to return to the Broncos in hopes of another revival of his career. However, he failed to play a single game for the Broncos throughout the entire2013 NRL season,and was released at the season's end.[18]
Media and Post Rugby League
editSince Kemp's retirement from Rugby League at the end of 2013, he has built a popular Rugby League Facebook Page and Podcast known as 'The Locker Room'. Kemp launched 'The Locker Room' podcast on 9 June 2015 with popular rugby league starBeau Ryan.[19]Kemp has also launched a beer brand 'Bloke in a Bar' across Australia which was successfully launched during the COVID-19 pandemic.[20]
References
edit- ^"Denan Kemp".Zero Tackle.Retrieved31 August2021.
- ^"Denan Kemp - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project".Rugbyleagueproject.org.
- ^https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/how-online-jokes-and-video-games-led-to-business-success-for-former-nrl-player-denan-kemp/news-story/a0e5d169bb5eb1eba10d2c92f2bf7122[bare URL]
- ^"Redcliffe upsetToowoomba in QLD Cup » League Unlimited".
- ^"With Aussie accent, Horo says he's a Kiwi at heart".The Sydney Morning Herald.29 August 2010.
- ^"Everything Turkish | Rugby and Turks".everythingturkish.com.au.Archived fromthe originalon 27 March 2014.
- ^"Ugly Manly sitting pretty".Sydney Morning Herald.22 May 2007.
- ^"Brisbane Broncos - Records - RLP".
- ^QLD Cup previewArchived14 May 2008 at theWayback Machineglobalrugbyleague.com,14 March 2008
- ^Thaiday wins Paul Morgan MedalArchived11 March 2009 at theWayback Machinerleague.com,16 October 2008
- ^Vodafone Warriors Sign Brisbane Speedster Kemp For Two YearsArchived20 July 2008 at theWayback Machinewarriors.co.nz
- ^"Warriors sign flying Kemp".Television New Zealand.29 May 2008.Retrieved27 September2011.
- ^Warriors release winger KempArchived27 August 2009 at theWayback Machinenrl.com,24 August 2009
- ^"Warriors: Kemp given release".The New Zealand Herald.24 August 2009.Retrieved27 September2011.
- ^Kemp coming home to Broncosnrl.com,16 September 2009
- ^Round 1 Queensland Intrust Super Cup PreviewArchived3 April 2011 at theWayback Machinerleague.com,18 March 2011
- ^abc"Kemp Joins Dragons for 2012".www.dragons.com.au.20 November 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 13 March 2012.Retrieved20 November2011.
- ^"Sounding the Siren No.1: Denan Kemp - NRL - Commentary Box Sports".Archived fromthe originalon 1 December 2017.Retrieved30 November2017.
- ^"NRL".NRL.com.NRL. December 2015.Retrieved4 August2021.
- ^"InsidefMCG".InsideFMCG.Inside. 26 October 2020.Retrieved4 August2021.