AFL Draft: The father-son prospects making their name in the SANFL
When their dads have played 100 games for multiple AFL teams, it could lead to a few must watch bidding wars over South Australia’s father-son prospects.
It is one of the great AFL traditions.
The father-son rule has kept a sense of romance in the ever-changing competition and continues to produce success stories of players shining at their family club.
From Ablett to Fletcher, Shaw to Daniher, Silvagni to Liberatore and Burgoyne to Daicos, there have been dozens of sons of guns drafted over the past few decades.
South Australia’s two clubs have had eight father-son selections between them: Ben Jarman (son of Darren), Jackson Edwards (Tyson) and Max Michalanney (Jim) at the Crows; Brett Ebert (Russell), Trent and Jase Burgoyne (Peter), Jackson Mead (Darren) and Taj Schofield (Jarrad) at Port Adelaide.
There are several other famous names coming through the SANFL junior ranks who will be eligible to follow in their dad’s footsteps – and not just at Adelaide or the Power.
Here are the SA-based AFL father-son prospects over the next three years:
ADELAIDE
Tyler Welsh
(Son of four-time Crows leading goalkicker Scott Welsh)
Draft year: 2024
Position: Medium forward
SANFL club: Woodville-West Torrens
Tyler, who stands about 189cm, is shaping as a very impressive prospect. He was chosen at full-forward in the under-16 All-Australian side last year after averaging 7.7 marks, including 3.3 contested, and 13.7 disposals, as well as kicking four goals, for national champion SA. Tyler also played two under-18 games for Woodville-West Torrens as a 15-year-old, bagging a total of seven majors. In the club’s under-16s, he kicked 39 goals from 17 matches, headlined by 7.2 in a semi-final win over North Adelaide and 4.1 in the premiership triumph over Glenelg. Tyler is powerful and reads the footy well in the air. He is doing a senior pre-season at the Eagles and will train with the Crows at times in 2023. Scott also played at North Melbourne, including in its 1999 premiership, but did not feature in enough games there (40) to ensure Tyler was eligible.
CARLTON
Ben Camporeale
(Son of 1995 premiership player and one-time All-Australian Scott Camporeale)
Draft year: 2024
Position: Half-back/midfield
SANFL club: Glenelg
The right-footer played at half-back for Glenelg and SA’s under-16s last year, while also having spells on ball. His most dominant performance for the Tigers’ under-16s featured 32 disposals and three goals against Central District in August. His running capacity is a standout trait. Ben has been training with Carlton this summer, along with his twin brother, Lucas.
Lucas Camporeale
(Son of 1995 premiership player and one-time All-Australian Scott Camporeale)
Draft year: 2024
Position: Wing
SANFL club: Glenelg
The left-footer was picked on a wing in the under-16 All-Australian side last year after averaging 17.3 disposals at the national titles, which SA won. Camporeale is a smooth-moving, neat ball user and good reader of the player. In the SANFL’s under-16s, he averaged 28.3 disposals and 3.7 inside 50s from 12 matches last season. Lucas and his twin brother, Ben, have been training with the Blues this summer. AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said the Camporeales were both highly promising and made a terrific first impression at the national championships.
HAWTHORN
Will McCabe
(Son of 138-gamer Luke McCabe)
Draft year: 2023
Position: Key defender
SANFL club: Central District
Will was named SA’s Most Valuable Player after it won the national under-16 carnival last year, was chosen in the All-Australian team and also played a key role in Sacred Heart’s college competition triumph. Athletic and 196cm, the Central District product is good one-on-one and a strong mark. He can also play as a forward, kicking a trio of three-goal hauls for the Bulldogs’ under-18s last year.
Ky Burgoyne
(Son of Indigenous games record holder Shaun Burgoyne)
Draft year: 2024
Position: Half-back
SANFL club: West Adelaide
See below.
PORT ADELAIDE
Ky Burgoyne
(Son of Indigenous games record holder Shaun Burgoyne)
Draft year: 2024
Position: Half-back
SANFL club: West Adelaide
Ky transferred from Glenelg to West Adelaide halfway through last year and registered eight games in the under-16s. Part of the Bloods’ under-18 squad this coming season, Ky is said to read the play well, works hard defensively, is athletic and has good football IQ, which is not a surprise given Shaun’s pedigree. Ky’s great genes also include being the grandson of Port Adelaide champion Greg Phillips. Ky is also aligned to Hawthorn, the club Shaun won premierships at from 2013-15 and played 250 games.
Rome Burgoyne
(Son of 2004 premiership player Peter Burgoyne)
Draft year: 2024
Position: Half-back
SANFL club: Woodville-West Torrens
Rome has been named in SA’s under-18 talent hub as an underager after an impressive 2022 campaign. He averaged 20.5 disposals and kicked 12 majors from 15 under-16 games last year, helping the Eagles win the flag. In June, he had a 27-possession, three-goal, five-clearance display against Central District. Rome is very clean at ground level, reads the footy well and some judges say he has better skills than older brothers Trent and Jase. Physically, he is more solid than Jase and in the middle of the siblings in terms of his height. Rome would follow in their footsteps by being drafted to the Power. Trent was delisted at the end of 2021 without debuting, while eight-gamer Jase impressed last season.
Ben Francou
(Son of three-time Showdown medallist Josh Francou)
Draft year: 2025
Position: Utility
SANFL club: North Adelaide
Ben is a little more solid in stature than his older brother, Oliver, and can play as a small defender, on-ball or at half-forward. He is also considered more of an in-and-under player, but like Oliver is a very good runner. Ben played three under-16 matches last season, kicking two goals and gathering 14 disposals against Central District in round 1.
Oliver Francou
(Son of three-time Showdown medallist Josh Francou)
Draft year: 2024
Position: Midfielder
SANFL club: North Adelaide
Oliver played four under-16 matches for the Roosters last season, splitting his time between SANFL level and St Peter’s College. He was injured early in the campaign. His older brother, Will, was overlooked in last year’s drafts but was now eligible to play for Port Adelaide Magpies under the state league’s rookie program. He is considered an exceptional runner.
Louie Montgomery
(Son of 2004 premiership player and one-time All-Australian Brett Montgomery)
Draft year: 2024
Position: Wing/half-forward
SANFL club: North Adelaide
Louie is in SA’s under-18 talent hub for 2023 as a bottom-age player. He booted two goals and was among SA’s best in its win over Vic Country that sealed the national under-16 title for the Croweaters in July. At under-16 level for North Adelaide, Louie averaged 22.4 touches, 4.1 inside 50s and kicked 17 goals from nine matches. He had a trio of three-goal hauls. Brett played 78 games for the Western Bulldogs, 22 games shy of ensuring father-son eligibility there. The Power overlooked Louie’s older brother, Harper, in last year’s drafts, but he was now aligned to Port Adelaide Magpies.
PORT ADELAIDE/ST KILDA
Gill Wakelin
(Son of 2004 premiership player Darryl Wakelin)
Draft year: 2025
Position: Key position player
SANFL club: Sturt
Primarily a tall defender, like his dad, but also capable of playing forward, Gill has impressed at Sturt due to his exceptional ability to read the ball in flight and his strong marking. He is already a nice size and will definitely be a name to watch in the next few years. Darryl’s 100-plus games at Port Adelaide (146) and St Kilda (115) ensures Gill is tied to both.
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