What does a Norm Smith medallist do before the grand final? Googles himself

When Andrew McLeod came to cast his votes for this year’s Norm Smith Medal, he agreed that Will Ashcroft had equalled a rare feat – one that McLeod himself had done.

Ashcroft deserved to win back-to-back Norm Smith Medals.

The young Lion is also now two thirds of the way to doing what Tigers great Dustin Martin did – win three.

Will Ashcroft won the Norm Smith Medal for the second straight year.Credit: Eddie Jim

Ashcroft is neither Martin nor McLeod. You’d call him his own player, except he has a mini-me running around in the same jumper with the same iridescent green boots and lustrous Prince Charming hair – his brother Levi.

Last year it was Levi, not yet drafted, jumping the fence to celebrate a flag with Will. Will had been denied a chance on grand final day the year earlier due to an ACL injury. On Saturday, Levi and Will ran to each other to embrace at the final siren, a shared flag and moment.

Voting breakdown

Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions) – 13 votes (3,3,3,2,2)

Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions) – 6 votes (3,2,1)

Zac Bailey (Brisbane Lions) – 5 votes (2,1,1,1)

Jaspa Fletcher (Brisbane Lions) – 3 votes (3)

Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) – 2 votes (2)

Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions) – 1 vote (1)

“It’s amazing … from an individual standpoint, the work I put in coming off that ACL going through those emotions to get back to this position. To do it with all my teammates and my brother, it’s such an amazing feeling,” Will Ashcroft said.

The medals might seem to make this comment redundant, but Will is a very good player who plays better when the game is bigger.

“I’m a competitor. I want to play in the biggest games. I want to play in finals footy. I want to play in grand finals and win them,” he said.

“I always watched grand finals as a youngster and I just dreamt to be here and with everything I’ve done in my life it’s not something where I want to just contribute. I want to be a real difference-maker.”

On Saturday morning, Will googled himself. He found a YouTube clip of last year’s grand final and him winning the medal. He needed a reminder of what he looked like on these days when he played well. Then he went out and created another highlight reel.

“That’s not something I usually do, but I thought just get me in that positive mindset to really attack it and pretty much do what you said and don’t shy away from it, embrace what’s coming,” he said.

Ashcroft with teammate Charlie Cameron.Credit: Eddie Jim

He also embraced his brother. At the siren they searched each other out.

“Amazing [to celebrate with him] reflecting back on last year and getting him over the fence to celebrate with the boys, he’s done so much work. He’s an ultimate professional for a youngster,” he said. Will is 21. The youngster is 18.

He had a big brother’s intuition sitting on the bench when Levi was lining up from just outside 50 in the last quarter. He knew Levi would fake to his left, get back onto his right and kick the goal. He did.

“He’s got some little mannerisms I can probably pick up on. And, yeah, he held the ball for a bit longer, then it stuck inside. And I knew, I knew what his intentions were,” Will said.

Levi gushes when he talks about Will. He doesn’t have a rivalry, he has a younger brother’s unadulterated love and awe.

“I’m so proud of what he did. So, yeah, I went straight to him at the siren because I appreciate him so much and what he’s done for my footy. It’s just a bit of an overwhelming emotion, so go straight to him,” Levi said.

“It’s crazy to think 12 months on that I’m here in these exact same rooms doing exactly what they did.”

By the raw measure of numbers, Will was outstanding: 32 touches, 12 contested and 14 uncontested possessions. It was a complete inside-out game – 10 clearances and eight tackles; nine inside-50s, five score assists. Oh, and he kicked a goal.

It was Will who stopped a potential Geelong rally dead at the start of the last quarter when they were three goals down. He took advantage of a free kick, pouncing on a ball and lacing out Charlie Cameron. Minutes later he kicked a goal of his own, accepting a handpass from Lachie Neale that was quicker than the mind had time to process and snapped a goal.

The two sons of Marcus, the Lions three-peat premiership player, both separately spoke of their debt to the Lions ... and their dad.

“It couldn’t be any better,” Marcus said.

“I’m so proud of both of them. To get back here is so difficult. When Levi jumped the fence last year he so badly wanted to be part of it with his brother and he got the chance and he’s now done it. It’s so incredible for both them.”

The moment might have felt about Will, Levi and Marcus. But when Will came from the ground he went straight to his mum Rebecca and gave her the medal.

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