APY Lands junior Jacko Kemp boots six goals for Amata Bombers at senior level

No one quite expected this when the plucky little full-forward was asked to fill a spot in the senior league.

A junior full-forward from the APY Lands has emerged as the next big thing in SA footy after dominating for his club’s senior side as a surprise fill-in.

12-year-old rising star Jacko Kemp was asked to fill in at senior level for the SANFL APY League’s second-bottom team the Amata Bombers on Saturday against second spot Fregon after the club lost several players to other sporting commitments.

Slotting in as a significantly undersized full-forward, Kemp produced a dazzling display against taller, stronger and faster defenders to boot six of his team’s nine goals in an 89-62 loss.

Players, coaches and supporters were left in shock as Kemp used his speed and skill to cut up the Fregon defence and keep the Bombers in the game through four quarters.

12-year-old APY Lands prospect Jacko Kemp booted six goals at senior level on Saturday, leaving onlookers in shock. Picture: Supplied

Kemp dominated against much bigger and more experienced opposition. Picture: Supplied

“I felt really happy about my game,” Kemp said.

“I wasn’t scared at all, my coach told me to lead out at the front and that’s what I did, I made good leads and I kicked straight.”

A fast and explosive player with impressive skills at ground level and on either foot, Kemp is full of potential and well-known as an up-and-coming star in the APY Lands.

The young gun is “obsessed with the game” and has fine-tuned his skills through a number of years, even training with Spencer Gulf Football League side South Augusta on various occasions.

Despite being from Fregon, Kemp has aspirations of playing consistent senior footy for Amata and also looks up to and models his game after Essendon forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti as an avid Bombers fan.

APY Lands young gun Jacko Kemp with classmates Caleb Kenny (left) and Bradley Phillipus. Picture: Supplied

He has received significant support from his teachers at Fregon Agangu School as well as his club teammates and coaches, and has even put an exercise bike in the school office to support his fitness and wellbeing.

“My favourite team is the Bombers and my favourite player is definitely Tippa,” Kemp said.

“I am a confident player and can kick with both feet, handball well and my best skill is snapping goals.”

While his short term goal was to play senior football in the APY Lands, Kemp also had aspirations of following in the footsteps of his favourite players and make it to the AFL.

“I want to keep playing football when I grow up.

“I know I need to take care of myself and stay fit and focused.

“I’ll need to keep running and preparing well.”