Will Ashcroft Biography

Will Ashcroft started 2026 in Doha searching for marginal gains after becoming just the third player ever to win back-to-back Norm Smith Medals in last year's Grand Final.

The 21-year-old travelled to an internationally renowned sports medicine practice and hospital, Aspetar, with Lions high performance boss Damien Austin in January, before Brisbane reported back for pre-season training at Brighton Homes Arena.

"I've always been really curious. That's the word I'd use - curious - for how my mind works. I've got extensive things that I do day-to-day, week-to-week, whether that be recovery or nutrition or training, whatever it is, my brain never really switches off," Ashcroft said.

"You are just trying to find the one or two per cent differences that might help you. Little tweaks that help you be more efficient with your running and can add into your gym program. I've added some stuff before and after training, that can help you."

Will Ashcroft signs a four-year extension with the Lions that will keep him at Brisbane until the end of 2030.

Will Ashcroft wins his second Norm Smith medal in the 2025 AFL Grand Final, becoming only the third player in history to win back-to-back Norm Smith medals.

Ashcroft was the dominant clearance player across four quarters in a tense and gritty match that swung on stoppages through the middle stages, finishing with 32 disposals and an equal game-high 10 clearances to spearhead the Lions' fifth flag this century.

Will Ashcroft wins the Norm Smith medal as best on ground in the 2024 Grand Final, becoming the youngest Norm Smith medallist of the AFL era.

Levi Ashcroft has committed to joining the Lions in the 2024 National AFL Draft as a father-son selection.

The 17-year-old will join older brother Will at the Lions, who is in his second season after heading north in late 2022.

"It's huge. It's been a dream of mine since I was younger," he said.

"I've played with him at school level and Sandy and that's some of my favourite games I've played in my junior career.

"To hopefully play here in front of the Lions fans at the Gabba, in Lions colours, will be a dream come true."

Will Ashcroft wins the 2023 Goal of the Year.

Will Ashcroft ruptures his anterior cruciate ligament against Geelong, bringing his outstanding debut season to an end.

"We are all hurting for Will because you never want to see any player experience a serious injury, especially a player in their first season,” the Lions' footy boss Danny Daly said.

"Our main priority is for everyone at the club to wrap their arms around Will and do everything we can to support him and his family in any way we can."

Will Ashcroft is the 2023 round two AFL Rising Star after amassing 31 disposals with nine clearances and kicking a goal in the Lions' 11-point win over the Demons.

Will Ashcroft makes his AFL debut for Brisbane at Adelaide Oval with 13 disposals (10 kicks and 3 handballs), 4 tackles and a goal in a 54-point loss to Port Adelaide.

Brisbane select Will Ashcroft with pick No.2 in the 2022 National Draft.

Potential No.1 draft pick Will Ashcroft, the son of former Brisbane star and triple premiership player Marcus Ashcroft, has nominated for Brisbane as a father-son selection.

Will had the option of entering the national draft's open pool, where he could be the top choice and stay in Victoria, where his family has lived in recent years and where he finished school last year, but instead has agreed to a four-year deal with the Lions.