A family legacy grows, while a new one is just beginning.
The Carlton Football Club is delighted to welcome three new additions to its AFL playing list on night two of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
Harry O’Farrell (pick No.40), Ben Camporeale (No.43) and Lucas Camporeale (No.54) all realised their boyhood dreams of pulling on the Navy Blue and now officially call IKON Park home.
An intercepting key defender standing at 197 centimetres, O’Farrell last month said the opportunity to join Carlton “would mean everything” — that has now become a reality on the second night of the draft.
Originally from Maribyrnong Park and playing his Coates Talent League football with the Calder Cannons, O’Farrell has been a highly regarded backman for the last two years, representing the Australian under-18 side against VFL opposition earlier this year.
Despite some injury interruptions in 2024, O’Farrell proved his credentials as not only a talent who can lock down his opponent, but also one who can intercept and generate offence from defensive 50, backing in his skills by foot.
Featuring for Vic Metro, Calder and St Kevin’s, O’Farrell demonstrated his capacity to play a number of roles, and further highlighted his athletic prowess with a time of 3.06 in the 20-metre sprint.
A raw prospect, O’Farrell now gets his chance to hone his craft on an AFL list under the tutelage of recently re-signed co-vice captain Jacob Weitering.
Ben Camporeale is a right footer well regarded for his significant running ability and immense work rate, thriving in contested situations to drive his team forward from the middle of the ground.
At 186cm, his size is complemented with quick decision-making skills and clean hands, with his leadership skills demonstrated by being named as the vice-captain of South Australia’s under-18 side.
Forging a reputation as a consistent and competitive inside midfielder, he impressed in the national carnival, averaging 26.8 disposals and 4.5 clearances, winning SA’s MVP award as well as being named in the All-Australian team.
Capping off the year, the 18-year-old also claimed the McCallum-Tomkins Medal after only playing six games in the SANFL Under 18s where he averaged an outstanding 31.7 disposals and 6.7 clearances.
Twin brother Lucas is an elite runner, complementing impressive endurance and work rate with his clever running patterns, to make an impact across the field.
Unlike brother Ben, who spent this year as an inside midfielder, Lucas is more of an outside midfielder, using his knowledge of the game and significant running capability to impress on the wing.
A high-production midfielder, Camporeale averaged 20.8 disposals at 71 per cent efficiency for South Australia at the National Championships, also garnering some senior experience in the SANFL racking up 19 disposals and seven marks in his debut.
The left footer had a breakout year in 2022, named in the All-Australian team for the Under 16s, while he finished fourth in the running vertical jump and 10th in the standing vertical jump at this year’s Telstra AFL Draft Combine.
Ben and Lucas become the 11th and 12th AFL Carlton players from the Glenelg Football Club, adding to fellow schoolmate Ashton Moir as the latest recruits.
They become the fifth pair of twins to play for Carlton, joining Doug and Dave Gillespie, Hal and Alex Hanton, Sarah and Jessica Hosking and Brea and Celine Moody.
Ben and Lucas are the sons of Blues premiership player and All-Australian Scott Camporeale, who kicked 200 goals across 233 games for Carlton, earning himself a place in the Club’s Hall of Fame in 2016.
They have been frequent visitors to IKON Park over the last three years, taking part in the Carlton Academy, having spent time training with the Blues’ AFL playing group to give him the perfect grounding to step into life as an elite footballer.
They join a rich history of father-sons, including names such as Lance Whitnall, Jarrad Waite and new teammate Jack Silvagni. Carlton was also the first club to have both an official father-son (Harvey Dunn, 1951) and father-daughter (Abbie McKay, 2019) recruit.
They also arrives as another Blue with a link to the Glenelg Football Club, including the likes of Stephen Kernahan, Andrew McKay and Bryce Gibbs as well as new teammate Ashton Moir.
Carlton Head of List Management Nick Austin said the acquisition of the trio capped off a fantastic two nights for the football club.
“To have Harry, Ben and Lucas, as well as obviously Jagga last night, we are building the next generation of our squad while also competing for the now, which is really exciting,” Austin said.
“We couldn’t be happier to have Harry at IKON Park. He’s a really impressive young footballer and just as impressive a person.
“Heading into this draft, we were hoping to round out our midfield group as well as add some tall talent in our back half: when it comes to the latter, we believe Harry can provide that as he continues to develop his game.
“He was a really-highly rated prospect heading into this year, he showcased some of those impressive traits as a key defender. He has a great balance of performing a lockdown role but also intercepting and generating offence when the opportunity presents.
“We are so glad to have Ben and Lucas join the Blues as father-son selections.
“Ben has had a terrific year, making a name for himself as an inside mid who uses his running and ball-winning nous to link up with teammates down the ground.
“We loved what he was able to do not only for Glenelg but for South Australia in the National Championships this year, proving he will fit right in with our midfield group, learning and developing alongside the senior players.
“Lucas is a promising young talent, his impressive running ability and work rate has seen him really make his mark on the wing this year.
“We think he’s someone who’s going to flourish in our environment, working with our leaders, Michael Voss and Luke Power to unlock his full potential.
“The extended time he and Ben have spent at the Club as part of the Carlton Academy has given them a great foundation to launch their careers.”
