AFL Draft 2024: Camporeale twins talk through their footy journeys and what makes them different

They make look similar, but Lucas and Ben Camporeale are quite different footballers. They tell CHRIS CAVANAGH about their footy journeys so far and what fans can expect to see at Carlton.

They have the same friend group, have the same interests and have studied the same subjects at school this year.

Now South Australian twins Ben and Lucas Camporeale are set to join the same AFL club as father-son prospects for Carlton.

It will be double delight for the Blues in November’s national draft, but fans won’t be seeing double in the years to come.

While they have their similarities, the Camporeale brothers are quite different players on the football field.

Lucas and Ben Camporeale at the AFL National Draft Combine. Picture: Getty Images

Ben is a right-foot onballer who looks up to Patrick Cripps and Will Day, while Lucas is a left-foot halfback or wingman who models his game on the likes of Sam Walsh and Errol Gulden.

“I’m Lucas the left-footer. It makes it easier to remember,” Lucas said of the ‘L’ correlation.

Lucas was the first born twin – by two minutes – but Ben has some bragging rights of his own.

“He (Ben) has got me by two centimetres and two kilos as well, so I’ve got the short end of the straw there,” Lucas said.

The sons of Carlton great Scott Camporeale don’t just compare each other.

They are also used to being compared by others – especially when it comes to their football.

“It’s hard with the last name and being twins,” Ben said.

“It makes it hard not to be compared. But we love it and it’s good. You push each other, but at the same time you’re still your own people and you want to have your own path. So we definitely get compared, but it’s not a bad thing.”

THE TWIN RIVALRY

What’s the best thing about having a twin brother?

“You’ve always got someone to kick the football to,” Lucas replied.

“Then some days you don’t feel like going to the gym or going for a run. But we’ve always got each other to push each other, which is handy. We definitely both wouldn’t be where we are without helping each other like that.”

Ben describes the rivalry between the pair as “too healthy”.

“We’re both pretty competitive and obviously as much as you want to see them (your twin) succeed, you don’t want to lose to each other,” he said.

There’s no spoken ‘secret twin language’ between the pair, but they do have a kind of ‘sixth sense’.

Look out for Ben (pictured) and Lucas linking up on the MCG, Blues fans. Picture: Getty Images

“You pick up on each other’s body language,” Ben said.

“If you give each other little looks or you lock eyes, you sort of know what’s going on.”

Locking eyes is something the twins also do regularly on the football field, consistently finding each other by foot during matches.

“It’s not intentional, but obviously you play together and you know where each other are,” Ben said.

“You look around and you can hear their voice because you’re used to hearing it at home. So if you see them, you hit them. But it’s not like we’re going out of our way trying to hit each other.”

CHANGING COLOURS

The year that the twins were born – 2006 – was their father’s first year at Essendon.

After 233 games in Navy Blue, Scott finished his playing career with 19 games across two seasons at the Bombers.

He went on to serve three years as an assistant coach with the Bombers, before making the move to Adelaide at the end of 2010 to take up a role at the Crows.

Ben and Lucas consequently grew up Adelaide fans and spent plenty of time hanging around headquarters at West Lakes.

“Our whole upbringing was surrounded by the Crows,” Ben said.

Scott Camporeale (far right) spent nine years at Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed

“We’d go in the club when we could with dad as kids and you’d see AFL players. It was pretty cool.”

The twins formed connections with the likes of Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield, Matt Crouch and Rory Laird.

They even got to run out with the team one day – courtesy of Bernie Vince.

“In the last game at AAMI Stadium, he carried me and Ben over the fence,” Lucas said.

“That’s something we still hold pretty dearly.”

It wasn’t until Scott finished working with the Crows in late 2019 that the family got back on-board the Blues.

“I always have a soft spot for Carlton,” Ben said.

“But when dad finished up coaching there (Adelaide), we followed them a bit more closely.”

Scott Camporeale with his twin boys. Picture: Keryn Stevens

‘HE WANTS TO BE A DAD’

Scott was a premiership player for Carlton in 1995 – a famous Grand Final which is still regularly replayed to this day.

“It comes up on Fox Footy every now and then,” Lucas said.

“We all watched it one day, but not too often. I’ll probably watch a few of dad’s highlights when I get bored.”

With such extensive playing and coaching experience, Scott has been a valuable asset to have in the twins’ corner.

However, he has been careful not to be pushy.

“Dad’s a big part of our footy. But at the same time, he wants to be a dad,” Ben said.

Scott and his infant sons. Over 18 years on, they are both set to be drafted to Carlton.

“He hasn’t put anything on us but he’s there if we want to have a chat or we want to pick his brains. He’s just there for a sounding board if we need it.”

While there might not be pressure coming from the parents, Ben and Lucas have put some level of pressure on themselves to follow in their father’s footsteps at the Blues.

“You want to carry on the last name if you can and to play together would be pretty cool,” Ben said.

“But at the end of the day we’re happy just to get the opportunity.”

Ben and Lucas Camporeale training at Carlton in 2022. Picture: Michael Klein

CARLTON CONNECTION

Being based in Adelaide, Ben and Lucas haven’t had as much involvement with Carlton as some other father-sons are afforded.

However, they did train with the club for a week during pre-season earlier this year.

Ben lived with Sam Walsh and Lucas stayed at Adam Cerra’s house.

“It was an unreal experience, just seeing what they do outside the club,” Ben said.

Lucas added that he was blown away by “how hard they train” – and not just at the club.

“Just what they do on their off days was a big one for me,” Lucas said.

“The recovery, the pilates and pools and all that. It’s just amazing to see how much effort and how much they put into their body because it’s their main asset and why they get paid so much.”

FROM THE BEACH TO THE BIG TIME

The Camporeale’s play for the Glenelg Tigers in the SANFL, but hit their local beach with a slightly less menacing creature in toe.

“We love our dog,” Lucas said.

“Her name’s Millie. She’s a Toy Cavoodle.

“We live near the beach, so we’re pretty lucky in that sense. We take her down there when we can.”

With the Tigers, Ben was a joint-winner of the league best-and-fairest in the under-18s this year – despite featuring in just six games.

“I was lucky enough to poll three votes in all of them,” Ben said.

“So that was a good reward for my year, but it’s a team game and I wouldn’t be able to do it with the boys on the team.”

Ben missed the tail end of the season – including Glenelg’s finals campaign – after suffering a hamstring injury.

But Lucas continued to carry the family flag and worked to develop his inside game through the midfield.

Lucas (pictured) has drawn on Ben’s qualities to improve his own ability. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ve been taking a lot off Ben with his inside craft,” Lucas said.

“That’s been a big one for me, that inside-outside balance this year, playing more midfield. We spend a lot of time together, so I’ve picked his brains a fair bit.”

The Blues officially nominated the twins as father-sons on Friday, paving the way for Ben and Lucas to team up at Princes Park.

But how would they fare if they were split up to different clubs?

“I reckon we’d be all right. I think we’d probably enjoy a bit of time away from each other if we do have that,” Lucas said.

“But it would be pretty cool being able to live with each other if we were to go to the same club.”

Originally published as AFL Draft 2024: Camporeale twins talk through their footy journeys and what makes them different