AFL round 3: Brisbane Lions vs Geelong, Will Ashcroft on growing up a Geelong fan, Chris Scott’s message and dealing with fame

Will Ashcroft grew up a staunch Cats supporter. And after playing a role in vanquishing Geelong from the premiership race last year, the young Lion shared a special moment with Chris Scott.

He is the son of a Lions legend who grew up a staunch Cats supporter but Will Ashcroft says there is no conflict of interest ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster at the Gabba.

The 20-year-old was one of Brisbane’s best in last year’s preliminary final nailbiter against Geelong – a statement performance from a rising star ready to prove he was born to perform on the big stage.

Two weeks later he became the youngest Norm Smith medallist in 46 years, cementing his place as one of the most exciting talents in the AFL.

Will Ashcroft grew up a Cats fan but is thriving as a Lion. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Now with the Cats plotting their preliminary final revenge ahead of an enticing Gabba grudge match, Ashcroft recalled those September days spent cheering on the hoops from the MCG stands that fostered his love of football and desire to play on the game’s biggest stages.

“When I lived in Queensland and was really young we would fly down to Victoria to watch those Cats finals and then when I lived in Melbourne I always got to the ‘G’,” Ashcroft told this masthead.

“Every time I get to play them now it’s a cool opportunity to have a reflection of growing up and supporting them. But it also lights a fire in me to play my best footy against them.”

It was against the Cats in his debut 2023 season that Ashcroft ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, which sidelined the Lions’ father-son for close to 12 months and forced him to miss Brisbane’s heartbreaking grand final loss to Collingwood later that year.

But the midfielder made up for lost time last year, returning in round 16 against Melbourne and steadily building himself back to full form and fitness in time to play a major role in Brisbane’s premiership run – which included breaking Geelong hearts in one of the most enthralling games of the season.

“It was unbelievable. It’s one of those games you watch as a kid wishing you could be out there,” Ashcroft recalled of the seesawing 10-point preliminary final win.

“It’s a bit of a blur because of how intense it was. It felt like it went by very quickly. Up to that point it was the biggest crowd (93,066) I had played in front of, it is pretty cool to reflect back on.

“Dad (triple-premiership Lion Marcus Ashcroft) is close family friends with (Geelong coach) Chris Scott, so I got to see him after the game and he just wished me luck for the big dance. That was a pretty cool moment from that day.”

Ashcroft speaks to Cats coach Chris Scott. Picture: Michael Klein

Will Ashcroft takes possession against the Cats in the preliminary final. Picture: Michael Klein

Much has changed since then. Most notably his brother, Levi, is now playing alongside him at the Lions.

Their younger sister, Lucy, recently joined the vaunted Lions Academy in her pursuit of an AFLW dream and the family has relocated back to the Gold Coast to be closer to the action.

“It’s been really good. We’re a very tight-knit family so it’s good to pop down there every few weeks and have dinner with them,” Ashcroft said.

“And they will be able to get to all of the (home) games this year as well. It’s cool to have them back and they can take part in our journey a bit more easily now that they are in the same state.”

Just 33 games into his AFL career, Ashcroft already has a Norm Smith and premiership medal to his name.

He has quickly become one of the most popular and talked-about players in the game and touted as the heir apparent to dual-Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale.

But it is all something he happily takes in his stride, as he works towards building a Brisbane dynasty just as his father did 20 years earlier.

“It hasn’t really changed too much for me. I had a bit of attention even before I was drafted and that has carried through, so it doesn’t phase me too much but I’m happy to give back where I can,” he said.

“It’s about focusing on the things I can control; on being the best player, teammate and leader as possible. That is where my head is at and it doesn’t waver too much from there.”