AFL Draft: Carlton and Brisbane father-son duos shine in Future Stars match
A well-known Blues surname was named best-on-ground in Saturday’s showpiece contest.
A father-son 2024 AFL Draft hopeful led the way for his respective side in Saturday morning’s Future Stars game at the MCG, as the top names in next year’s draft class demonstrated their abilities.
Team Naitanui came away with a thrilling three-point triumph as part of the day’s grand final proceedings, holding off the opposition Team Selwood side, which hit the game’s final four goals to bring it down to the wire.
Ben Camporeale, a Carlton father-son talent, was named best-on-ground for his 30 disposals on the wing, as well as his eight marks, eight rebound-50s, and five inside-50s for Team Naitanui.
Camporeale, the son of 233-game ex-Carlton star Scott, would be one of numerous father-son names to demonstrate their worth on the big stage a year before their National Draft.
Ben’s twin brother Lucas would be among Team Selwood’s finest performers, collecting 19 disposals, nine marks, and five inside 50s.
Levi Ashcroft, son of Marcus and brother to Lions rookie Will, led Brisbane with 26 disposals and five inside 50s, as well as a beautiful third-term goal.
In midfield, Ashcroft will be joined by South Australian Sid Draper (25 disposals), Vic Country talent Finn O’Sullivan (21 disposals, six marks, five inside 50s), Oakleigh’s Jagg Smith (21 disposals, three clearances), and Gold Coast Academy prospect Leonardo Lombard (24 disposals, five tackles, four inside 50s).
The victory for skipper Draper, Smith, and Lombard comes just six days after the latter won the VFL Grand Final with the Suns as a 16-year-old.
Team Selwood forward and Essendon Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Kako kicked two early goals to equal all goalkickers, with teammates Jonty Faull and Josh Murphy also picking up a pair each.
Oakleigh’s Tom Gross would boot 2.3 for Team Naitanui, while Sydney Academy prospect Joel Cochran equaled his achievement with a brace.
Xavier Lindsay of Team Selwood and Leongatha would be among his side’s finest at half-back, providing enough of opposition before switching his side into attack lanes with his clean ball movement.
To offset Ben Camporeale’s influence at the other end of the field, the Gippsland Power representative had 20 disposals and five rebounds-50s.
Malakai Champion of Team Selwood would show flashes of his quickness and talent in the forward half, earning him an invite from Subiaco, while Sandringham premiership star Murphy Reid would also be among the losing side’s greatest players.
The aforementioned Smith was a bright light in Team Naitanui’s engine room, with his evasiveness and contested effort on full display, while Draper, the brother of second-year Collingwood player Arlo, provided run and muscle in the middle to stand up and lead his team to the tight victory.
Northern Knights midfielder Zak Johnson was impressive on the outside, finishing his play with 14 disposals and a clean goal on the run in the fourth quarter of the encounter.
Eastern Ranges and Vic Metro midfielder Josh Smillie, who missed last week’s Coates Talent League Grand Final due to injury, would also be among Team Naitanui’s best with 21 disposals and five marks.
