Levi Ashcroft joins brother Will at Brisbane Lions in 2025

The Brisbane Lions will have a double dose of Ashcrofts in 2025 after one of the highest rated players in the draft chose to join his brother.

Will, Marcus and Levi Ashcroft. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Highly rated draft prospect Levi Ashcroft has declared he’s ready for the “challenge” of breaking into Brisbane’s brilliant midfield after committing his future to the Lions by opting to join his superstar brother Will at the club as a father-son selection.

The 17-year-old, a talented midfielder with the Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League, informed the Lions of his decision on Wednesday and will play with Brisbane’s VFL team on Sunday against the GWS Giants at Brighton Homes Arena.

Levi’s father Marcus Ashcroft was a Lions legend who won three premierships in his 318 games for the clubs, with both his sons having now following in his footsteps by joining Brisbane.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to say I am joining this great club,” Levi said.

“Our family has great connection to the club, with Dad’s legacy, but also over the past couple of seasons as Will has started his career here as well.”

He said Will was also among his “best mates” and was desperate to rekindle an on-field partnership forged during schoolboy football.

Levi Ashcroft confirms his commitment to be a Brisbane Lion 🦁

Read: https://t.co/Wd1bAjbo5Qpic.twitter.com/JLkdUG0bBH

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) August 7, 2024

“I feed off him for advice, whether it’s footy, whether it’s life,” Levi said.

“He’s obviously he’s got a wealth of knowledge to give me over this journey, so hopefully now, playing at the same club and being around each other even more will be really cool.”

However, playing alongside Will at AFL level next year will be a task easier said the done considering the talent that already occupies Brisbane’s midfield, including two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage.

“The way the Lions are playing at the moment, they’re one of the best teams in the competition,” Levi said.

“With the midfield they’ve got … it’s going to be tough to break into that midfield, but I’m here for the challenge, and I can’t wait to play alongside them potentially.”

Delighted Lions coach Chris Fagan said Levi was already “almost part of the furniture” at the club.

“We’ve known Levi for a fairly long time now,” Fagan said.

“He’s been training with us for a couple of couple of years … but to hear that he committed to come to us was exciting.

“Collingwood have got the Daicos’ and the Lions have got the Ashcrofts.”

Fagan said Levi as a “hybrid-type” player who was “similar” to Will.

“He’s a good inside, outside midfielder. He can win his own ball, he’s creative, got great skills – he’s a good all-round player. That’s why he’s rated so highly, so probably similar to his brother,” the Lions coach said.

Lions football manager Danny Daly said Levi was also similar to Will in being a “quality person”.

“To have a young player like Levi coming to us with as much talent and potential is beyond exciting for our club, our members and fans,” Daly said.

“What also impressed us is that not only is Levi a quality player, but he is also a quality person, and someone that will help enhance the culture at the Brisbane Lions.”

Originally published as Levi Ashcroft joins brother Will at Brisbane Lions in 2025