CARLTON father-son prospect Ben Camporeale started his top-age campaign in style over the weekend, racking up 31 disposals in Glenelg’s Under 18s win over West Adelaide. Playing in midfield alongside twin brother Lucas, the pair led all comers while rotating to opposite ends of the ground.

Both Camporeale boys spent time training with the Blues during preseason, were selected in the AFL Academy, and are among a raft of club-tied talents in draft contention this year. We put Ben’s Round 1 showing under the Player Focus microscope, dissecting his game quarter-by-quarter.

>> AFL DRAFT: 24 prospects to watch in 2024

Glenelg, South AustraliaMidfielder

Ben Camporeale

Height: 186cm

Weight: -

DOB: 21-07-2006

PLAYER FOCUS

2024 SANFL Under 18s: Round 1
West Adelaide 4.11 (35) def. by Glenelg 10.15 (75)

#11 Ben Camporeale (Glenelg)
Stats: 31 disposals, 7 marks, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 4 behinds
CBAs: 9/18 (match): 4/5 Q1 | 1/3 Q2 | 2/4 Q3 | 2/6 Q4

FIRST QUARTER

Camporeale started at the opening centre bounce alongside twin brother Lucas, who was everywhere from the get-go. Ben was more often sighted peeling off at the stoppages and spreading forward, running into pockets of space.

He speared a couple of well directed passes to leading targets inside 50, although his teammates failed to mark, but also Camporeale looked polished by hand. He did well to stand in tackles and keep his arms free to flick the ball out effectively.

Camporeale’s best moments in the opening term came when handballing – showcasing his core strength, clean hands and vision in tight spots. Despite that, he had less centre bounce presence than what he managed around the ground.

SECOND QUARTER

Having attended four of five centre bounces in the first quarter, Ben Camporeale started term two inside 50 while Lucas rotated to defence. He tended to play a high line, loping up outside 50 and eventually joining in at stoppage.

His running capacity came to the fore once fully rotated back into the midfield, as he dropped back into defensive 50 to rack up uncontested ball and help Glenelg transition. Camporeale also clunked a strong intercept mark down there, joining the contest third-in.

At the other end of the ground, he missed a couple of chances to find the goals in what was a low-scoring affair. A free kick at the top of forward 50 sailed wide, while a gilt-edge chance at the top of the goalsquare skewed off his boot under pressure.

THIRD QUARTER

Camporeale was thrust back into the starting midfield mix to kick off the second half and continued to showcase his terrific ability by hand. Conversely, he tended to go long by foot and couldn’t quite pick off targets as effectively that way.

One moment by foot saw him pick out a leading target inside 50, and Camporeale demanded the ball when in short-range of his teammates. Having worked on his clearance work over preseason, Camporeale can also continue to improve his defensive aspect when playing the sweeper at stoppage.

FOURTH QUARTER

While his presence in all areas of the ground was felt throughout four quarters, Glenelg kicked away early in term four without Camporeale at centre bounces. He was again utilised up forward and took a terrific mark presenting up off the centre clearance.

His kick penetration was again on show with a subsequent attempt on goal, though it went wide along with a 40-metre set shot later in the piece.

Camporeale continued to accumulate possessions and really filled his boots in the final quarter, faring well as a link in handball chains on the outside. In the end, he finished only behind brother Lucas in the disposal count, notching 31.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

There’s clearly plenty to like about the Camporeale twins, who play a similar style to their father Scott and have the running ability to thrive as outside assets at AFL level. Both were used on the inside for Glenelg but have traits which arguably suit roles on the wings or flanks.

Ben is blessed with a good turn of speed and decent size, which along with his clean hands could see him develop into an effective clearance player at Under 18 level. He’ll likely also feature on the wing or half-back at representative level, while a League gig might prove hard to crack for Glenelg.

In terms of where he fits into draft discussions, the general consensus is that Ben may be slightly ahead of his brother at this stage, but both are quite evenly assessed and will likely be considered inside the first couple of rounds. There is plenty of footy to be played, though.