Brisbane Lion Will Ashcroft on dark days following knee injury

Brisbane youngster Will Ashcroft has spoken about the impact a serious knee injury that cruelled his rookie season had on him.

Brisbane Lions gun Will Ashcroft has spoken about the “dark days” that followed the serious knee injury he sustained late in his debut AFL season.

Ashcroft, son of three-time premiership winning Lion Marcus Ashcroft, returned from 11 months on the sidelines in Friday night’s nailbiting 11.20 (86) to 11.15 (81) victory over Melbourne at the Gabba.

Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

It had been an agonising wait for the 20-year-old, who set the 2023 season alight with one of the great rookie campaigns the sport had seen before the tragedy struck.

Averaging over 22 disposals and featuring in every game since his round 1 debut, the second pick in the 2022 draft ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the fourth quarter of the round 19 clash with Geelong at the Gabba.

After igniting the competition with his skill and maturity, ultimately winning the 2023 goal of the year award, Ashcroft could only watch as his Lions teammates made it all the way to the grand final, losing a thriller to Collingwood.

Will Ashcroft hurting his knee and after his comeback. Photos: Getty Images/Channel 7

So the blond Lion was overjoyed to finally make his comeback on Friday night.

“I’m over the moon,” he told Fox Footy. “There’s no better place to play in Australia. Wow.

“Interesting game to come back in. Stoked to be back here and hope to keep building on that the rest of the year.”

It didn’t look like being a happy return for Ashcroft after the Demons overcame a slow start to break open a four-goal lead by halftime.

The Lions kept chipping away and finally completed the comeback when midfielder Hugh McCluggage nailed a set shot from the boundary with 1:18 on the clock, as you can see in the video player above.

Ashcroft had drawn the Lions level with 2:30 on the clock with his quick kick out of a pack before Alex Neal-Bullen was correctly penalised for a deliberate out of bounds in Melbourne’s defensive 50m zone.

Ashcroft after his serious knee injury last year. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

McCluggage made no mistake with the difficult shot from a tight angle and Ashcroft, who tallied 18 possessions, five marks, five tackles and two clearances in 76 per cent game time, was stunned by his teammate’s effort.

“It was pretty nerve wracking, huge goal,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like that

“That’s what I was looking at today, just getting back in the groove of things.

“I’m still absolutely gassed, you can’t replicate games in training.”

Ashcroft was also asked who had been his main support at the club during his enforced lay-off.

“Everyone collectively,” he said. “The midfield group are all very tight, so those guys are always checking in.

“Danny Dale is one I’d pick out, the GM of footy, he’s been instrumental, always sending messages, especially in those dark days early on when the boys were humming and playing finals footy and I was gutted not to be out there.

“I’m really grateful for his support and everyone at the club.”

Ashcroft was thrilled to be back on the field. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

St Kilda great Leigh Montagna was asked about Ashcroft’s welcome return on Fox Footy.

“Massive win out of the game,” he said. “He had some huge moments in that fourth quarter.

“He went missing for two quarters, (but) he’s going to be better for the run and the team just keeps on rolling.”

After a poor start to their campaign, the Lions have now won four straight games to climb up to fifth on the ladder at the start of round 16.

They host the Crows next week and then take on West Coast in Perth before facing the Sydney Swans.