Levi Ashcroft quickly learning lessons in first season of AFL

Emerging Brisbane Lions midfielder Levi Ashcroft is adapting to the challenges of playing in the AFL after a stellar career in junior football.

Levi Ashcroft’s AFL education has included a non-negotiable “team-first” mantra he must maintain to keep his spot in Brisbane’s star-studded team.

Previously an elite player at junior and schoolboy levels, Ashcroft, 18, has been on a steep learning curve in his first year of AFL football.

“There are a lot of bigger bodies than what I’d been playing against, playing against 18-year-olds and people at school, so it’s definitely bigger bodies and stronger players in this league,” said Ashcroft, who has played in all of the Lions’ 13 matches this season.

“The ball definitely moves a lot quicker than what I was used to, but I’ve found my feet and confident with where it’s at now.”

The fifth pick in last year’s AFL draft has also been happy to shelve any thoughts of individual glory and instead properly buy into the Lions’ team ethic under coach Chris Fagan.

Levi Ashcroft has made a good start to his AFL career. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Give yourself to the team is a big thing for ‘Fages’ and the coaching staff,” Ashcroft said.

“It’s just doing everything you possibly can for your mates and for this club. He (Fagan) has been stern on that all year round, and I definitely resonate with that.

“I feel like to stay in this team, you’ve got to do all that stuff.

“It’s not just about your individual performance. That comes as well, but to be doing the team things first, that’s the most important thing, and then individually, you can hopefully thrive off that.”

Playing alongside his older brother Will at AFL level has also been a “dream” for Ashcroft.

“We love coming into work every day. It’s a dream being able to play football as your job, and do it with him is even more special,” he said.

“It just feels like we’re growing up and getting older and enjoying our life as footballers.”

Levi Ashcroft (left) says it’s a ‘dream’ playing in the AFL alongside his brother Will. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Lions will aim to bounce back from last Friday’s five-point away loss to the Adelaide Crows when they host the GWS Giants at the Gabba on Saturday.

Brisbane wasted a host of opportunities in the final quarter against Crows, but Ashcroft was confident the Lions would correct that problem this weekend.

“We just need to finish off our work with inside 50s … we’re trying to kick more goals from better inside 50 (opportunities),” Ashcroft.

“I feel like some of the time we go inside 50, it’s a little bit lower percentage, so we’re just trying to get better shots as a team.”

Defender Brandon Starcevich and forward Sam Day have been named to make their returns on Saturday from respective concussion and hamstring problems, and will replace Dev Robertson and Ty Gallop in Brisbane’s 23.

Ruckman Oscar McInerney, who has a back issue among other niggling injuries, will be given another week off, but has again been named among the emergencies with Darcy Gardiner and James Tunstill.

Originally published as Levi Ashcroft quickly learning lessons in first season of AFL