Brisbane Lions young gun Will Ashcroft says the pain of missing the 2023 grand final through injury helped inspire his Norm Smith Medal-winning performance in this year’s season decider.
Ashcroft, whose father Marcus won three straight premierships with the Lions from 2001 to 2003, was outstanding in the 60-point win over the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Saturday.
- BLOG: Lions ends AFL premiership drought with thumping win over Swans
- FIVE QUICK HITS: Ashcroft makes history, Cam makes it Rayn and Hipwood mimics a legend
He racked up 30 disposals and snapped a stunning goal to poll 14 votes from the Norm Smith Medal judges.
The 20-year-old is the youngest Norm Smith medallist since Carlton’s Wayne Harmes was crowned the inaugural winner at age 19 in 1979.
Ashcroft was enjoying a stellar debut season in 2023 until he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Geelong in round 19.
The injury meant he missed the Lions’ four-point loss to Collingwood in the grand final.
He did not play a senior match this season until round 16 but made his presence felt in the grand final.
“I can’t believe it,” Ashcroft told the Seven Network.
“As hard as it was to miss last year, I set myself a goal.
“I set myself a goal in the second half of the year and to come back and play my first finals [series].
“To be here and then win it … unbelievable.”
Ashcroft was recruited by the Lions as a father-son pick.
He is set to be joined by younger brother Levi at the Lions next year.
Ashcroft was judged best afield by four of the five judges, including Jack Riewoldt, Shaun Burgoyne and Rory Sloane.
Several Lions had staked claims for the Norm Smith Medal, with co-captain Lachie Neale racking a match-high 34 disposals and nine clearances.
Neale attracted eight votes in the Norm Smith Medal count, while Callum Ah Chee (seven votes) and Kai Lohmann (one) — who both kicked for goals for the Lions — were also in the running.
AAP/ABC
