St Kilda’s Anthony Caminiti has had a sharp rise since joining the club as a pre-season supplemental selection in February.
The 19-year-old initially joined the Saints as a train-on player after spending time at Carlton across the pre-season.
Having impressed Jack Silvagni during his time at Ikon Park, the Blue informed his dad Stephen – St Kilda’s list manager – that he thought Caminiti had what it takes to make the grade, leading to his St Kilda invite.
Now with a new three-year contract extension to his name and nine goals from six AFL games, AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich gave an insight into how Caminiti initially impressed those at Moorabbin to get his foot in the door at the AFL level.
Gabelich: “He (Caminiti) signed that three-year deal yesterday (Wednesday).
“It’s an incredible story.”
Healy: “It is an amazing story given that the son of SOS (Jack Silvagni) was the one who suggested to SOS that they should pick him up.
“Not only did he show promise, but he's come in and actually been a force in various matches.
“He's trailed off a little bit (since), but gee he looks a player.”
Gabelich: “Well Gerard, I sat next to David King in February at this training session when he absolutely dominated.
“We were standing there with Simon Lethlean and we're like, ’Well, you clearly have to sign him’, and they signed him within a couple of hours.”
Cornes: “Was it your influence Josh? You influenced Simon Lethlean let to sign him on the spot?”
Gabelich: “(Laughs) well, I just couldn't believe what I was seeing.
“We went out to a lot of training sessions, and I didn't see a first-year player dominate that way at any club in Victoria.
“It was incredible what he did to think that he's played so many games so quickly and now he has a contract until the end of 2026.
“He was going to play local football this year and combine that with the VFL and some study.”
Caminiti will feature in a forward line alongside star tall Max King for the first time at the senior level when the Saints face the Giants in Western Sydney on Sunday.