An infusion of young talent is on the cards for Sunday afternoon, with exciting pair Mattaes Phillipou and Anthony Caminiti to make their AFL debuts against Fremantle.
The teenage duo arrived at St Kilda through starkly different ways, with Phillipou joining the club with pick No. 10 at last year’s National Draft and Caminiti via the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period in February.
Key forward Caminiti had only trained with the Saints for two sessions – including a best-on-ground display during a match simulation session – before securing his spot on the list following an audition reel that surprised all.
Prior to his recruitment, the former Carlton VFL trainee was studying a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and working two hospitality jobs between his uncle’s steakhouse and local café. Now, after beginning his week with a linear algebra exam, he’ll end it running out onto Marvel Stadium in red, white and black.
“I’m a bit nervous, but I’m so excited to run out there with the boys,” Caminiti told saints.com.au.
“It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s a dream come true.”
While the excitement attached to Caminiti has been notable despite his limited time at RSEA Park, it’s the buzz around Phillipou which Saints supporters humming.
A few captivating bursts during St Kilda’s two practice matches up forward and through the midfield were reason enough for the South Australian to earn his place, however his impressive body of work during the pre-season has been just as commanding.
Phillipou has spent time up forward in recent weeks given several injuries to the Saints’ forward stocks, but had previously been injected into the midfield going toe-to-toe with the likes of Brad Crouch, Seb Ross and captain Jack Steele.
“I’m super excited to be playing Round 1,” Phillipou told saints.com.au.
“The family will be coming down for the game, my grandparents, parents, brother and sister, so it should be good.
“There might be a few tears, definitely a lot of excitement, but hopefully they’re proud of me.”
He joins the likes fellow top-10 draftees Max King, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield in making their debuts in the early rounds of the season.
Caminiti and Phillipou will become the 1635th and 1637th Saints AFL player on Sunday afternoon, joining club debutants Zaine Cordy (1636) and Liam Stocker (1638) as St Kilda opens its 2023 campaign against Fremantle.
