Scott Camporeale’s twin sons Ben and Lucas starring at under-16 level

Carlton could have a jump on a future draft class with the twin sons of a former 200-game champion rocketing up junior talent boards. And they both play just like their father.

James Gallagher has departed the Saints. Picture: Getty Images

What could be more exciting for Carlton fans than the father-son prospect of a premiership player? Father-son twins.

Carlton great Scott Camporeale’s 16-year-old twin sons Lucas and Ben have already been welcomed into the Blues’ fold, joining the club for pre-season training on Wednesday.

And AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan says fans should be excited about the twin’s prospects, describing them as having “AFL potential all over them”.

The Camporeale twins represented South Australia at the national under-16 championships this year, both impressing on opposite wings.

Lucas, a left-footer, was named in the under-16 All-Australian team. Ben is a right-footer.

The twins will be bottom-age under-18 players next season and eligible for the draft in 2024.

Ben (left) and Lucas Camporeale, twin sons of Scott Camporeale, train at Ikon Park. Picture: Michael Klein

Sheehan said the twins made a “terrific first impression” at the under-16 championships and rated their future prospects.

“They are both highly-promising boys on the way that they played this year,” Sheehan said.

“They are two years away from the draft and they will obviously, as father-son (prospects, the Blues will) be able to bring them in for these sorts of experiences …. and nurture them over the next period.

“You could see they’re stringy types that are going to grow. They haven’t fully developed yet.

“They are both well worth the Blues’ fans taking an active interest in over the next couple of years. They are quite capable of bobbing up, even as 17-year-olds, next year in SA’s squads at under-18 level.

“It’s exciting for everyone that’s a Blues fan to see how these boys unfold.”

Ben Camporeale is a smooth mover like his father. Picture: Michael Klein

... and so is his twin brother Lucas. Picture; Michael Klein

Camporeale played 233 games for Carlton between 1995 and 2005 before crossing to Essendon for the final two years of his career.

He was a member of the Blues’ 1995 premiership team in his debut season in the league and was also an All-Australian and equal club best-and-fairest in 2000.

Sheehan said the twins had playing traits like their father.

“(I was impressed by) their running capacity first of all, both were clean, clean with their ball handling, ran beautifully, lovely striders, smooth over the ground,” Sheehan said.

“Not surprising, Scotty was all of that as well.

“They were just generally team-oriented young fellas for their side and the way they conducted and presented themselves, they have certainly got AFL potential written all over them.

“It was a terrific first impression to see them play in those three games for their state and handle themselves so well, and just look forward to keeping an eye on their progress.”

The Camporeale twins were among a number of father-son prospects to feature in the under-16 championships this year.

Levi Ashcroft (son of premiership Lion Marcus and younger brother of draftee Will), William McCabe (son of former Hawk Luke) and Tyler Welsh (son of former North Melbourne, Adelaide and Bulldog Scott) were all named in the 2022 under-16 All-Australian team.

Will Saints chase SOS after list manager’s exit?

– Jay Clark

St Kilda is on the hunt for a new list manager to help spearhead the club’s resurgence after parting ways with talent boss James Gallagher.

The Saints confirmed on Tuesday Gallagher would depart the club as he looked to move home to South Australia for family reasons.

The club will embark on a process to find a replacement although it remains unclear whether former Carlton list boss and ex-St Kilda assistant coach Stephen Silvagni will be a target.

Silvagni was cut by the Blues over an alleged conflict of interest because his son Jack was on the club’s list and has since led the league website’s trade coverage in recent years.

St Kilda’s list strategy has failed to help the club rise up the ladder in recent years following moves to top-up on some mature-age recruits including high-priced midfielders Brad Hill and Daniel Hannebery.

Other pick-ups include Dan Butler, Paddy Ryder, Zak Jones, Dougal Howard, James Frawley, Dean Kent and Shaun McKernan.

James Gallagher has stepped down as St Kilda list manager. Picture: Getty Images

St Kilda’s recent football department review – which led to the sacking of coach Brett Ratten – recommended a change in list strategy after the club missed finals in 2022 despite an 8-3 start to the season.

Former North Melbourne coach David Noble helped lead the review, while former Kangaroos list boss Glenn Luff completed a list analysis for the Saints which found it lacked top-end talent.

The club’s new list boss will be on a mission to add more A-Graders, after missing out on Collingwood free agent Jordan De Goey, and recalibrate the salary cap.

The Saints are known to have a tighter-than-expected cap after the moves to add some mid-tier players on decent wages.

Gallagher, who played 38 games for Adelaide Crows, joined the Saints in 2018 after a career in banking.

Will the Saints look to Stephen Silvagni? Picture: Michael Klein

Chief executive Simon Lethlean thanked Gallagher for his contribution to the club over the past four years.

“James has contributed significantly to the improvement of our list and culture throughout his time at the Saints,” Lethlean said.

“He has an appetite for hard work and his care and passion for seeking to improve the quality of our list and the culture of our club was evident, no more so than when taking on more than just his primary duties throughout the Covid interrupted 2020 and 2021 years.

“We wish James, his wife Laura and children Jack, Alice and Olivia all the best for their move back home.”