Famous AFL twin Lucas Camporeale is in hospital after an alarming injury in Carlton’s VFL clash with Collingwood at Ikon Park on Friday night.
The incident happened in the second term when Camporeale desperately lunged at the ball to spoil a mark in Collingwood’s forward line … ending up on the deck and in immediate pain as play continued around him.
Eventually, umpires stopped the action as the trainers and medicos went out to help to the 19-year-old son of gun.
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He was in clear discomfort and threw up on the ground before he walked off, grimacing and visibly distressed.
“Rough 24 hours for Carlton’s Camporeale twins,” 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch cleary said on social media.
“Lucas has suffered a lacerated kidney from last night’s VFL game and is expected to be in hospital for several days to be monitored.”
Cleary said Lucas “stayed down for close to two minutes” and, incredibly, returned to the field in the second half before he was taken to hospital.
Ben Camporeale played out the match (which Carlton won by 31 points) but he suffered delayed concussion and is now in the AFL’s concussion protocols.
The twins are the sons of Carlton hall of famer Scott Camporeale.
Scott played more than 250 AFL games (233 for Carlton) and was a member of the Blues’ 1995 premiership team.
Carlton released a statement on Saturday about the condition of the twins.
“Lucas Camporeale is expected to remain in hospital for the next few days as a precaution after suffering a minor laceration to his kidney during last night’s VFL game,” the statement said.
“The club can also confirm midfielder Ben Camporeale presented with delayed concussion after the game and has subsequently entered the 12-day protocols.”
Lucas played three AFL games last year but is yet to appear at AFL level this. Ben is yet to make his AFL debut.
Scott recently said on 3AW that it was “difficult” watching his sons repeatedly miss out on AFL opportunities as Carlton struggled.
“They would obviously like to be playing (at AFL level),” Camporeale said on 3AW.
“It’s always difficult as a dad … It’s one of those things you’ve got to deal with.
“You want to see your kids do well … and I want to see the club do well, just as a past player.”
Lucas and Ben were both drafted in 2024 and the AFL’s father-son rules.
