What’s it like to be a draft hopeful ahead of the big night?
Grand final day was bittersweet for Ashcroft.
The 18-year-old budding star will officially become a Brisbane Lion on Wednesday night, at no later than pick five. Melbourne are set to bid on him unless Richmond, North Melbourne, Carlton or Adelaide get in first.
Ashcroft had already pledged his father-son draft rights to Brisbane when he watched his brother, Will, win the Norm Smith Medal and join their father Marcus as a premiership Lion.
“It was a very special time for the family, but it was a little bit mixed emotions for me,” he told this masthead. “I was very excited for the boys, but I was like, ‘Oh, it would have been nice if it was another year after’, but hopefully, we get to go back-to-back and continue the good form.”
Only one family member per player is typically permitted on the ground after a grand final, and the Ashcrofts chose their mother, Rebecca. But Will sweet-talked security into letting his sibling jump the fence and join in the celebrations, too.
The younger Ashcroft has put together an extraordinary resume, himself, ahead of the draft, and is intent on eventually being known as the best player from this class, even if he is not the No.1 pick.
An opening round debut is already in Ashcroft’s sights. The left shoulder surgery he had in the post-season won’t stop him chasing that goal.
“It’s been my dream to get drafted for a long time, and I’ve known for a long time it was going to be the Brisbane Lions,” Ashcroft said.
“It doesn’t matter to me [what pick]. If you look at people like Nick Daicos and Will, they were the best players in their draft. Nick went four, Will went two, and ... they’re going pretty well, so hopefully, I can do the same in the AFL and make an early impact like they did. I’m just excited to be a Brisbane Lion.”
Ashcroft will fly to Brisbane on Thursday night and might sneak into the club on Friday for a training session.
He plans to move in with Will, who is looking to buy a home, and their childhood friend James Creighton, who will play for the Lions’ VFL team in 2025.
Creighton was in Gold Coast’s academy, represented Queensland at junior level with Will and attended Brighton Grammar alongside him. They won flags together at the Sandringham Dragons.
The Dragons’ hope is that Ashcroft, one of the most driven and professional prospects in years, is just one of a group of several players from the club who will achieve their AFL dream across Wednesday and Thursday nights.
“It’s very special and an honour to play at a club where my family’s steeped in history, and now both my family members have won premierships for this great club,” he said.
“I’m very pumped for the draft. It’s an exciting time for me and my family, and people around me. For the Sandy Dragons, and even the Brighton Grammar boys, it’s going to be an unbelievable couple of nights.”