AFL Finals 2024: Will Ashcroft and Dayne Zorko can help take Lions even further than 2023

Brisbane fell ever so short of glory in the 2023 grand final. But they didn’t have these two weapons at their disposal, CALLUM DICK writes.

All eyes are on Brisbane skipper Lachie Neale ahead of Saturday night’s do-or-die elimination final against Carlton.

But the heir apparent is ready and willing to have his say in the outcome as well.

It comes 12 months later than he would have liked but boom Brisbane midfielder Will Ashcroft will run out for his first AFL final against the Blues.

With hair like Hercules and the all-round game of a seasoned veteran, the second-year starter looms as the Lions’ post-season ace in the pack after missing the 2023 finals series with an ACL injury.

Will Ashcroft will play in his first AFL final on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images

The 20 year old has all the hallmarks of a September superstar. And given his hall of fame father Marcus’ illustrious CV, which includes 318 games and three premierships for the Bears and Lions, Ashcroft looks a man born for the big stage.

Perhaps fittingly, Marcus played his first final against the Blues, way back in 1995.

Brisbane went within a straight kick of lifting the premiership cup last September and this time around will have to take the long road to the MCG. But with Ashcroft back in the mix the Lions’ midfield has an extra edge.

If not for his ill-fated injury late last season, the son of a gun would have had a major role to play in the Lions’ premiership charge. Now the man who many believe is destined to become the next Neale is ready to make his mark on September.

Ashcroft has quietly hit form at the perfect time. Two of the top-five rated games of his career according to Champion Data have come in the past three weeks.

With him in the side it gives the likes of Hugh McCluggage and Zac Bailey the freedom to spend more time forward, where they can threaten teams on the scoreboard.

It also allows Neale to stretch any would-be tagger by taking him away from stoppage and inside 50, knowing Ashcroft can pick up the slack in the clearance game.

“Getting Ashy in the middle has been really good for us,” McCluggage told this masthead.

“His ability to get his hands on the ball around the clinches and get it to a teammate is second-to-none. He really helps our work around stoppage and ability to convert that to scores.”

And in recent weeks Ashcroft has added another layer to his game. Against Essendon in round 24 he plucked a game-high 15 marks to go with 30 disposals and seven score involvements.

Brisbane’s kick-and-mark style has been a headache for teams in the back half of the season. Previously, veteran Dayne Zorko was the master architect of the chip and chase but recently he has recruited Ashcroft as his partner in crime.

Over the past six weeks Brisbane is the No. 2 team in scoring from turnover – Zorko and Ashcroft are a big reason why. The Lions love to get the ball in their hands at every opportunity because they know when they do, good things usually happen.

The Lions two new finals weapons. Picture: Scott Powick

Zorko looms as the other major weapon that the Lions did not have last season.

While the 35 year old did feature in the run to the 2023 grand final, he played a drastically different role.

No one felt the hurt as much as he in the days and weeks after that grand final heartbreak. In the twilight of his career, Zorko knew time was running out to earn that elusive premiership medal.

Reimagined as a rebounding defender after Keidean Coleman went down with a season-ending ACL injury against the Blues in Opening Round, he has compiled arguably the best season of his career to become the oldest-ever All-Australian.

Zorko earned his second All-Australian blazer last month. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s just been fantastic,” said co-captain Harris Andrews.

“He’s done so well coming down back and just fitting in seamlessly. It’s great to see the big fella get due reward for his season (as an All-Australian).

“He got one … was it 2017? He was playing a totally different role then. He’s been a real game changer for us.”

The Lions might have to take the long road to the grand final this year. But they are well stocked with two massive weapons they did not have last September.

Originally published as AFL Finals 2024: Will Ashcroft and Dayne Zorko can help take Lions even further than 2023