Wallan junior footballer Logan Kemp, 10, supports Mernda opponent after NFL grand final

A POIGNANT moment captured on film after an under-11s footy match has been praised as the ultimate act of sportsmanship by young Wallan player Logan Kemp.

Logan Kemp consoles Mernda opponent Liam Michael before joining his team’s celebrations.

LOGAN Kemp surveyed the ground as his teammates embraced in celebration.

The 10-year-old had just played a key role in Wallan’s under-11 premiership on Sunday, helping his side claim a 10-point grand final win over Mernda in the Northern Football League.

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In a scene reminiscent of Andrew Flintoff’s post-match gesture to Brett Lee during the 2005 Ashes series, Logan chose to console his opponent Liam Michael before enjoying the spoils of his team’s success.

“That was me last year, and I felt really upset,” Logan said.

“I didn’t want other people to feel that. I went to see if he was OK because he was really upset.”

The image of the half-back flanker Logan comforting Liam, which has captured by his mother Belinda, has received praise on social media since the grand final.

“I can’t say I am entirely surprised by it,” Belinda said.

“Logan, ever since he started playing football, is the kind of kid who will tackle the player and then help them up.”

Logan Kemp consoles Liam Michael on the field.

Logan’s gesture has been compared to this iconic moment from the 2005 Ashes series.

Logan, a year five student at Upper Plenty Primary School, said his message to Liam was simple.

“I said ‘keep your head up because you could get another opportunity next year and you played really well’,” he said.

“I celebrated a bit with my teammates, but then I saw all of them on the ground and that kid was very upset, so I went to see if he was OK.

“He said ‘yeah, go and enjoy your win’.”

Belinda said she could not have been prouder of the maturity her son showed.

“I think in a moment that is total selfish, for him to do that was unexpected,” she said.

“When you’re in the heat of that excitement and he’s only 10, to see him do that, it was just like ‘wow’.

“He’s probably a bit more mature than he gets credit for being 10.”

Wallan assistant coach Spencer Mathieson said he only realised Logan’s gesture had taken place when the picture was shared at the weekend.

“I didn’t really know it had happened,” he said.

“When the game was over, everyone was jumping on each other and didn’t know Logan did that. It was great.”

Mathieson said the touching moment was a reflection of the supportive culture the club had created.

“Fantastic. Great sportsmanship. All our kids are really good sports,” he said.

Wallan’s senior coach Daniel Nolan said the picture had a “strong message of sportsmanship” and was “very inspiring”.

The Magpies won the grand final in the Northern Football League’s under-11 red competition, 2.7 (19) to 1.3 (9).

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