From Kalgoorlie Kid to West Coast Eagles LegendTuesday, May 17, 2022 - 12:02 PM - by Mark Readings

THERE are few more decorated athletes to come out of Kalgoorlie than Dean Kemp. 

A lightly framed football talent, Kemp cut his teeth in the Goldfields before carving out a spectacular career with the West Coast Eagles. 

With Kalgoorlie hosting a WAFL league match this weekend, the 53-year-old has recalled how he fell in love with the game. 

“I have very happy memories kicking the footy on the road outside my house with mates and playing from the age of five in the junior ranks with the mighty Railways FC," Kemp recalled.

"One of my most cherished moments was winning a league premiership with the Redlegs and being able to play alongside one of my older brothers Gary in the Grand Final team."

Enjoying footy success with a sibling was just one of the benefits of playing footy in Kalgoorlie. 

“It was a great apprenticeship playing against hardened older bodies in the Goldfields," he said.

"There were some ferocious and talented players and you learnt quickly to look after yourself or you were in trouble. 

"It was a wonderful learning curve for me ahead of entering the AFL." 

All these years later, the Australian Football Hall of Famer is grateful for the guidance he was given. 

“There were some amazing footballers in Kalgoorlie, and I idolised many of them," Kemp said. 

"From Rod Sexton, Neville Brierley, Ron Brown (my cousin) Gary Kemp (older brother), Keith and Ray Ewen, along with my brother-in-law Johnny Alexander who played with Mines Rovers.". 

Recruited from Subiaco in the WAFL, Kemp played 243 games for the Eagles. 

A dual premiership player with the club, Kemp was an All Australian and Eagles club champion in 1992, before winning the Norm Smith Medal in West Coast’s 1994 Grand Final triumph. 

Now living in the south of the state, Kemp knows the importance of the weekend to his old hometown. 

“It will be a huge event because people in the Goldfields love their footy," Kemp said. 

"We’ve had some fantastic players coming out of Kalgoorlie and we’re still producing plenty of talent." 

Subiaco hosts Swan Districts at Sir Richard Moore Oval at 12.10 pm on Saturday. 

The match will be telecast on Channel 7 and broadcast on SEN WA.