Jaspa Fletcher of the Lions handballs earlier this season.Credit: AFL Photos
In a congested field of rising stars in the Brisbane Lions’ ranks, Jaspa Fletcher seemed to fly under the radar.
Yet Dayne Zorko rates him the best player to walk through Brighton Homes Arena each week.
Eclipsed by Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft and the goal-scoring antics of Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris, Fletcher’s exploits often went unheralded as the club’s budding contingent inspired last year’s premiership triumph.
The arrival of Rising Star contender Levi Ashcroft threatened to obscure him even more.
Until now.
“Potentially,” Will Ashcroft said, when asked if Fletcher’s efforts had gone largely unappreciated beyond the Lions’ walls.
“It’s really important at our footy club that we value the little things and value people who make huge impact and might not get the credit outside of the club. I think he’s starting to get that, and it’s rightfully deserved.
“I’ve seen first-hand the body of work he’s done from the day we got here, and even training prior to that in the off season before we got drafted.
Jaspa Fletcher and Will Ashcroft joined the Lions at the same time as father-son draftees.Credit: Getty Images
“To see the player and person he’s become is a testament to the people around him at the footy club and beyond that, but also himself.
“He’s unbelievably driven.”
Hailing from esteemed AFL stock, the son of 200+ game veteran Adrian, Fletcher is long odds to be caught resting on his laurels.
Making his mark on the top level as a wingman, Fletcher’s full-time shift to halfback in the injury absences of Jack Payne (knee) and Noah Answerth (Achilles) has coincided with his most consistent season.
Before this year, he was yet to register 20 disposals in a game. He has since hit the milestone in 12 of his past 15 encounters, while averaging 2.73 inside 50s and 7.6 marks an outing in that time.
When asked on Fox Footy after Brisbane’s win against the Bulldogs why he felt Fletcher was the side’s best player, Zorko spoke of his versatility, while being an “elite” figure in each position he has tried his hand at.
But even as Fletcher lifted the premiership trophy, he felt a longing for more.
His perception of his own game was one of disappointment, adamant he had so much more to offer come the preseason.
“I was just trying to put a bit more muscle on my body, I’ve always been small in frame and last year I didn’t have a year I was quite happy with,” Fletcher said, as he announced his contract extension until the end of 2030.
“I was super stoked to go out there and hold the cup up, but for me personally I thought I could add a little bit more.
“I think I’ve put three or four kilos on, and I feel like I’m heaps stronger now. I studied exercise and nutrition science after school … and I’ve been testing things since I got to the club.
“I feel like I’ve found a plan and diet that works for me, and hopefully, I’ll continually add to that and see if I can get to another level.”
The fruits of that are beginning to show, and fail to suggest a dip in form nears ahead of Saturday’s QClash with the Gold Coast Suns.
Fletcher was even “honoured” to be rated a future captain of the club by current leader Lachie Neale, having previously led the Allies Under-18s side.
Jaspa Fletcher sought to increase his muscle mass in a bid to become a stronger force in contested play.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
With a true team-first mentality, the 21-year-old insisted that while he grew up as an inside midfielder, he was unfazed about where he landed.
That adaptability could be the ticket which delivers Brisbane back-to-back flags, as star halfback Keidean Coleman plots a comeback to the big stage.
Coleman, who went within a kick of claiming the Norm Smith Medal in the 2023 grand final, missed all but a quarter of last season with a ruptured ACL, before suffering a quad strain in training after his round 11 return.
He has since lined up in Brisbane’s VFL side for the past two clashes – combining for 30 disposals, three clearances and 10 marks.
“I just want to play wherever the team needs me, and if that’s on the wing, down at halfback, up forward or in the middle, I’ll do whatever it takes to put my best foot forward,” Fletcher said.
“In the off season, I got to work on things that are my strengths, but also where I need to grow, and I think this year I’ve been able to use them a little bit more. I’ve been able to have more impact.”
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