By Nick Wright
Lost in the euphoria of Levi Ashcroft emerging from the AFL draft and joining his brother at the Brisbane Lions was the call-up of another rising star already “showing up” the club’s premiership-winning heroes.
Sam Marshall, selected at pick 25, has turned heads in the early preseason hitouts, as he and Ashcroft plot to make life difficult for the incumbent midfield.
The Lions Academy prospect had made a statement with his hard-running style, averaging 27 disposals and four clearances for the Allies in the National Championships to earn All-Australian honours, while claiming the best on ground medal in the Coates Talent League grand final for Sandringham.
Sam Marshall has already caught the eye at the Brisbane Lions.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
So impressive has Marshall been, Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko responded with a long whistle when asked what he had seen of him.
“He’s the man. We obviously lost Harry Sharp [traded to Melbourne] which is really sad, but enter Sam Marshall,” the All-Australian said.
“You would have seen him running around, it’s pretty impressive to see him cover the ground.
“He’s an exciting prospect for us, no doubt about that. He’s got really good, clean skills as well, so he’s another one that’s going to be pushing for selection in no time.
“He’s certainly showing us all up.”
Marshall and Ashcroft will vie for inclusion in the Lions’ midfield rotation – one stacked with Norm Smith Medal winner Will Ashcroft, two-time Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale, vice-captain Hugh McCluggage and dual-premiership champion Josh Dunkley.
Zorko was adamant the presence of the two fresh faces would ensure Brisbane did not follow Collingwood, Melbourne, Richmond, West Coast and Hawthorn as clubs to win flags only to fade quickly in the past decade.
The Lions orchestrated their breakthrough premiership triumph this year with fledgling stars Will Ashcroft, Logan Morris, Kai Lohmann, Darcy Wilmot and Jaspa Fletcher heavily involved.
“There’s going to be talk about premiership hangovers and everything like that, there’s no doubt about that, but I just feel like this group has matured so much in the last six years,” Zorko said.
Meanwhile, Keidean Coleman, Darcy Gardiner, Lincoln McCarthy and Tom Doedee would return from injury.
“There were a lot of players on our team last year who missed out on the opportunity to play in that grand final, who have been stalwarts of our club for a number of years. That’s where the motivation is going to lie.
“They’ve got to re-earn their spots back, but if they do, we want them to experience the same thing we were able to.”
Jed Walter of the Suns runs with the ball.Credit: Getty Images
While the Lions’ youngsters are plotting a dynasty to rival that of the early 2000s, the Gold Coast are bracing for history of their own: a maiden finals series under coach Damian Hardwick.
Mac Andrew, 21, would begin 2025 needing to make an impression, having signed the richest deal in AFL history.
He would join the 2024 draft class of Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Will Graham and Jake Rogers, while 20-year-old Bailey Humphrey would enter his third preseason.
Walter and Humphrey believed the group had the tools to emulate what the Lions achieved by entrusting the fledgling crop with greater ownership of the team.
“We’re all very close to each other, so the team chemistry and connection [is what] we’re really trying to stamp into our team” Walter said. “We’ve already spent a few years together, so now we’re taking it to the next level.
“Coming in last year, I was probably fourth or fifth key forward, with some more experienced boys in front. I’ve got to ... really try to be one of the key pillars in the side.”
Humphrey added: “Last year for me was a letdown year, but I’ve always got high standards and try to drive myself with that,” revealing he had achieved personal best results in gym testing.
“Dimma [Hardwick] is trying to drive the younger lads so we can take a bit of the load off the older lads and not rely on just three or four people to do everything.
“The young lads are getting together and driving the standards at training so far, so hopefully we can keep that going, and it can go into the season.”