It’s rare enough to have a pair of twins both playing in the one VFLW side. But Casey currently has two pairs of twins involved in its squad as it pushes for a Grand Final berth.

For all of the benefits that having a twin entails, Lucy Wales finds one simple footy exercise the biggest.

“When we first got to Casey this year it helped so much having (sister) Stephanie there,” Wales told Casey Media. “Even just having her there to kick the footy with before training helped us get used to it all and eventually make social connections.”

The environment may have been new for the Wales twins, but playing together was standard for Lucy and Steph. The pair have always played sport together and still play footy and representative basketball alongside one another.

Lucy says having a partner in crime through her sporting career has only helped her flourish. It’s also caused double the stress for opposition teams.

“We started playing in the under-15s side when we were under 13,” Lucy said. “We played at Oakleigh Dragons and definitely stole each other’s votes and statistics, which would still happen now.”

Neither Lucy nor Steph expected footy to take them anywhere, especially while they were still playing representative basketball throughout the week too. But a call by chance from Melbourne’s AFLW talent manager Todd Paterson came through while the pair were on a family holiday in Queensland earlier this year. Before they knew it, the Wales twins were both decked out in the red and blue, playing VFLW footy.

“It’s honestly all happened really fast but I’m so grateful for the opportunity we’ve both been given considering we had no clue what to expect and didn’t think anything would come from it when we joined the group in Round 3,” Lucy said.

Steph said: “We were just playing local footy when we got asked to come down and train and just decided to keep going because it was fun.”

“It was pretty crazy. We’ve done most things in our life so it’s nothing different, at local level we would play together no matter what so when we both got asked to play at Casey it was a realisation that we were both just as good and had put in the hard work together.”

Since then the pair haven’t looked back. Lucy is now the side’s ruck as Casey plays off for a spot in the VFLW Grand Final on Sunday, while Steph has been a handy utility. She started as a defender while also pinch-hitting up forward. But a change in role came in the final round this season, where Steph was called upon to fill Lucy’s shoes.

“I haven’t played too much in the ruck before so I just tried my best,” Steph said.

Lucy said: “I really enjoyed sitting on the sidelines and watching Steph get a bigger opportunity in that game. To step up and watch her take on the role was so exciting.”

“I didn’t give her too much advice, I more just let her do her own thing. I knew she was capable so it was nice to watch from the sidelines.”

But the Wales aren’t the only twins in Casey’s squad. In another twist of fate, Peter Mercoulia’s side went from having no twins to two sets of them halfway through the season when the young duo of Charlotte and Amelie Blair joined the Demons.

Much like the Wales twins, the Blairs both fit in right away.

“I’ve been really enjoying it, it’s such a big change from junior footy and the NAB league where we came from,” Charlotte Blair told Casey Media. “It took the first game and a few weeks of training to adjust. I’m not as physical and that’s the main weakness in my game so I’ve gotten more comfortable with it now.”

Amelie Blair started the pair’s love of footy, commencing her career in the under-12s in the Deavon Meadows boy’s side. Three weeks of watching Amelie play was enough for Charlotte, who then decided to join her twin sister in playing the game.

“Amelie started her journey in the under-12s and got a few games in and I saw her play and thought I would enjoy it and do it as well,” Charlotte said. “I headed down to training, it certainly made it easier having Amelie there considering we were playing with boys.

“And now we’re here and have been doing it ever since.”

The Blairs went through the Dandenong Stingrays before Casey soon swooped on the promising sisters for this VFLW season.

The pair both admit they’ve already made lifelong friends while still looking out for each other on the field.

“We always link up and try to do some special plays,” Amelie said. “Everyone gets excited when the twins do their thing. We always stood out and I’ve always enjoyed having the experience of playing with Charlotte and having a connection that no one else has.”

Charlotte said: “We do look out for each other. We know each other’s game inside and out.”

“When Amelie comes streaming out of the backline with her big kick we almost lock eyes, she sees me running to positions and it works out. It may be a weakness too but we know we can trust each other.”

Although the two sets of twins are loving playing together amidst a Casey finals charge this season, they all know it may not be forever. Charlotte Blair already stands out as a potential AFLW draft candidate later this year. If they get broken up, the pair are adamant they’ll continue to support each other.

“I’m prepared for us to be split up,” Amelie said. “She’s been looked at a lot more than me and has been interviewed by lots of clubs, so I’m prepared for the separation but I’ll be her number one fan when I watch her play and I’m so happy for her.”

Charlotte said: “I haven’t thought about it too much. Amelie may not have the same goals as I do when it comes to playing AFLW footy but we’ll still work together behind the scenes. We can support each other at any level regardless of where we play.”

For the Wales twins, they are both prepared to be split. They are both taking a positive perspective, seeing the potential of an AFLW career as a chance to get closer while being physically apart.

“It’s special to still play together at this level – we’ve somehow stayed together, but we’d be able to cope with being on different teams,” Lucy Wales said. “It can also be a real chapter of growth for us if we did have to go separate ways. We know it’s a slim chance we stay together so it can be an opportunity to grow as a person and as a footballer.”

Stephanie said: “Chances of being together are slim but I’m ok with that, it’s good to do different things.”

“But looking at the present it would be so incredible to win a VFLW premiership together. The way the team is run and the balance has been perfect, we have a good shot at it.”