AFL Round 1: Will Ashcroft on winning a Norm Smith Medal and playing with brother Levi

He already has a premiership and Norm Smith Medal after 31 games. Now he’s determined to take his game to another level and spearhead Brisbane Lions’ premiership defence, as CALLUM DICK finds out.

He was the tip of the spear in Brisbane’s grand final demolition of Sydney last September but Will Ashcroft warns he still has another level to reach ahead of an SCG date with the Swans on Saturday.

Ashcroft, 20, became the youngest Norm Smith medallist in 45 years after amassing 30 disposals, five clearances and a goal in the Lions’ 60-point premiership triumph – following in the footsteps of his father, Marcus Ashcroft, who won three flags for the club in 2001-03.

In just his second AFL season, Will Ashcroft ticked off two of the top three achievements in football – a premiership and Norm Smith medal – and could have easily fallen into the trap of thinking success comes easily.

But in the young midfielder’s mind, he is only just getting started.

“I’ve always been someone who is looking for the next thing,” Ashcroft told this masthead.

“I have to check myself at times and let myself be in the moment and enjoy what the team has achieved and what I have achieved.

“For me it’s always about how I can get better and progress in my journey as a footballer, a person and a leader. That’s where my focus is.

“In my mind I’ve only played 30-odd games (31) and I know I have so much more to give. I’ve been around for a couple of years now and I have so many more levels to go to in my opinion. I’m just focused on bringing that out week-to-week as the season goes on.”

It is a mindset shared by the Brisbane coaching staff and playing group.

The 2024 Norm Smith Medallist is...

Will Ashcroft!

And how about the ovation 💪 pic.twitter.com/pXXRv9vXTD

— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 28, 2024

Coach Chris Fagan has been at pains to remind his charges of the challenges that a reigning premier faces the following season, pointing to the precipitous falls of predecessors Geelong and Collingwood who missed finals the year after their grand final triumphs.

“Our group is still very hungry,” Ashcroft declared.

“It is a collective mindset that we have carried through all of pre-season and we will throughout the year.

“Especially the young guys that played in (the grand final) like myself, but also the guys who have come from different footy clubs, come into the club or the guys who were injured and have come back.”

Will Ashcroft at Lions training at Springfield before their Opening Round clash against Geelong this Thursday. Picture Lachie Millard

Incredibly, Ashcroft’s stellar September came off a mere nine-game lead-in after the 2022 No. 2 draft pick had to wait until round 16 to return from an ACL injury that had kept him sidelined for 11 months.

Hailed as the heir apparent to Lions co-captain Lachie Neale, Ashcroft has relished the opportunity to work closely with the dual-Brownlow medallist over the summer having spent much of the previous pre-season in rehabilitation.

Neale famously agonises over every aspect of professional football and that attention to detail is something shared by Ashcroft.

“I do a fair bit of work with Lachie throughout the week. We always do touch after training, we’re always talking about different stuff throughout the week and how we can both get better,” Ashcroft said.

“He’s someone that I’ve leant on a lot for my development in my early years.

“I’m always trying to find ways I can refine my process and improve, whether that is actual football specifics or things like recovery methods, mindset approaches and stuff like that.

“I’m always curious to look at different ways to get better and help others around me.”

Will and Levi Ashcroft after Brisbane’s victory in last year’s Grand Final.

On Thursday, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan told the playing group that Will’s younger brother, Levi Ashcroft, would make his AFL debut as the sub against Sydney on Saturday.

It will be the first competitive game the brother play together since their days at the Sandringham Dragons, before either of them was drafted.

“That’s probably three years roughly it would be. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then,” Ashcroft said.

“He can’t wait, really. He’s confident in himself and he knows he has done the work – and he will continue to work throughout the year to contribute as best he can.”

The Brothers immediately showed their bond on-field when Levi found himself in a scuffle during the practice match against Gold Coast on February 20 and Will was the first Lion on the scene to assist.

Levi Ashcroft will make his Lions debut on Saturday as the sub.

“I think it will happen a few times this year, he’s a pretty fiery character so I’ll have to get my nose dirty a little bit I reckon,” he joked.

“Hopefully I don’t have to get fined anymore times this year that would be nice.

“We’re definitely not people who will back down, him especially. He will put his best foot forward in all areas of the game. He’s not afraid to give a bit of chirp here and there, he won’t take a backwards step.”

Will famously began his AFL career at a canter, amassing 31 disposals and a goal in just his second game earning three Brownlow votes.

This week Brisbane Lions great Alastair Lynch declared Levi looked just as prepared for the big stage as his brother had on debut – an assessment that Will agreed with.

“He’s got a very similar mindset to me and that’s probably reflected in his confidence in his ability,” Will said.

“He’s an excitement machine when he gets going. I’m looking forward to him untapping all of his potential this year and building on it as the year goes on.”

Originally published as AFL Round 1: Will Ashcroft on winning a Norm Smith Medal and playing with brother Levi