He’s been the buzz player of the 2022 AFL draft class for many months.
But there’s more to Will Ashcroft than winning mountains of disposals and a handy father-son connection to the Brisbane Lions.
In a one-on-one chat with Foxfooty.com.au, Ashcroft discusses the prospect of joining Brisbane, his incredible work ethic and professionalism, the influence of his family and his development as both a player and person.
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THE UNOFFICIAL FULL-TIME FOOTBALLER
Ben Waterworth: A lot of your teammates and opponents I’ve spoken to about you Will all circle back to one word when describing you: Professional. Does that professionalism come naturally to you? Or is that something you’ve worked hard to develop?
Will Ashcroft: A bit of both. I think I was always relatively professional as a younger player, but I knew that if I wanted to have a red-hot crack at it, especially moving into my 17th and 18th year, that idea to try and take my professionalism to the next level and just leave no stone unturned, I really enjoyed that. It’s not difficult for me to live a professional lifestyle because I really enjoy it.
BW: You did a fair bit of your schooling in Queensland, so you weren’t at school in your 18th year in Melbourne. From all reports, you were training as a professional footballer this year while not officially being a professional footballer.
WA: I was at university, so I did that part-time to keep learning and keep doing something. I’ve also had some business pursuits and I’m looking to launch a business idea in the coming months. It’s around training performance, wellbeing, nutrition – just for young athletes to provide some information for guys who do not necessarily want to be AFL players, but just perform at a high level in any sport.
BW: Your teammate Olli Hotton was saying how he really appreciated you providing detailed feedback about his game and how he could improve, as well as other Dragons players. In a way, does that tie into this business interest?
WA: I’d say so, yeah. I think I’ve always, as a leader, tried to help others get better and it’s probably one of my growth areas I’ve improved on over the last couple of years – and that definitely ties into it. Targeting those young individuals who may be a little bit misguided and don’t have the information they might need to get to where they want to be and providing some guidance around there. It definitely links closely with my leadership as a football player.
BW: What are the information holes you’ve identified?
WA: Not necessarily the training stuff – that’s definitely part of the business – and I think a lot of people who are sort of aspiring to be AFL footballers, for example, have the resources with their coaches and their clubs they’re playing at. It’s more the things outside of that. It’s about just starting to build some strong habits in a young person, say 12 years old, where you can start doing some things surrounding nutrition and recovery, extra training outside of football that can better you physically and mentally. Nothing too crazy like AFL level stuff, but it’s just building some good habits that you can build on. I think that’s what I was lucky to have with my dad around and my mum. Obviously dad played footy so he knew a fair bit around that professional stuff, so he really helped me as a young person get into it a bit and then I sort of took it from there. I think that’s what I’m trying to help younger guys do is to just get a little bit of a taste of it and then see where they want to take it themselves.
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BW: So how important is it if you’re handing out this information and giving this advice that you’re putting it all into practice yourself?
WA: Absolutely, 100 per cent. When I start writing programs and thinking about information and content to broadcast, you almost feel obligated to do it yourself. I think I’m doing a lot of it already, but even during the business I think I’ve learned stuff for myself that I can potentially implement, talking to other people and talking to other professionals. It’s really good for others, but I think I learned a lot myself as well.
BW: Can you give us an idea of what professional training and nutrition has looked like for you this year?
WA: Training-wise, in-season is more based around recovery and making sure your body’s ready to go each week. That sort of links in to nutrition as well, making sure that your protein intake is up and that you’re getting enough energy in to perform at really high levels and run really high intensities on the weekend. From a football and training standpoint, it’s doing ice baths, beach recovery, stretching, extra weight sessions – things like that.
BW: How strict is your diet?
WA: I eat pretty healthy, but it’s not too strict. I think it’s more centred around the protein stuff. I’m doing so much training and exerting a fair bit of energy – because I love doing that – but I need to make sure I’m fuelling myself properly and letting myself recover.
BW: Do you cook for yourself?
WA: I’m probably going to have to start to cook more if I’m moving to Brissie. I try to do a little bit every now and then because I’m pretty interested in that sort of stuff. But Mum’s a pretty good cook.
REFLECTING ON 2022
BW: Larke Medal, NAB League premiership captain, best on ground in the NAB League grand final and NAB League Team of the Year captain – you won just about every award possible in your draft year. How did you cope with switching teams, competitions and age groups, including the VFL, so frequently while maintaining such a high standard?
WA: It was obviously a really good year, from an individual perspective and a team perspective. I had a lot of great opportunities to play in a lot of different teams and learn from different people. I think it’s all about sticking to what I know and doing what I do best, going back to my strengths. I’ve tried to carry them wherever I go and I think that’s held me in good stead. Captaining a premiership with the Dragons was definitely a highlight. Even coming into the year, I knew there was so much potential and so many opportunities for so many guys at the Dragons. I knew I had a special group.
BW: If someone hadn’t seen you play before, how would you describe yourself as a player?
WA: I’d hope to think I’m a midfielder with a really good balance of inside and outside. I’m strong at winning the contested ball and good in the clinches, but also on the outside I can break the game open, hit the scoreboard and damage the game in the forward 50.
BW: Is there an area of your game you’ve really tried to focus on this year?
WA: Finding that balance between ‘first give’ and driving my legs out of stoppage. I think there’s a fine line between that if you want to be a really good midfielder. Early on, I was probably doing first give a little bit too much, but I definitely have the strength to drive out of the contest and start a chain and be really damaging in the forward half.
BW: Did you identify that need to improve yourself or did someone point it out to you?
WA: A bit of both. I think I felt it myself that I could still probably get the same amount of possessions, but breaking the game open and having more of an influence was coming when I drove my legs out a bit more. I spoke to Wayne Cripps at the Dragons and we had a lot of conversations surrounding that throughout the year.
BW: What about hitting the scoreboard more often? Many believe it’s one thing you can still add to your repertoire.
WA: At times. I’ve probably got to hit the scoreboard a little bit more. I kicked a fair few behinds this year, so I’m definitely looking to clear that up a little bit hopefully in the AFL. But the main part is getting shots on goal and creating chances.
FAMILY INFLUENCE AND LIFE LESSONS
BW: You haven’t lived in Victoria for too much of your life so far. Have you seen a benefit of being based in Queensland, rather than in ‘the footy bubble’, regarding your development?
WA: I really appreciated it and was grateful for all the support and opportunities I had on the Gold Coast when dad was working there – pretty much all my life. I think it’s just a different world here in Victoria and we were super glad to move here and spend four years – and my family will continue to live here. But those Gold Coast years definitely set me up to build a base and propel me on to bigger and better things here. I spent a lot of time at the Suns and using their facilities when I was really young. Seeing what guys like Gary Ablett and Touk Miller got up to was pretty cool. I had a Touk Miller jumper when I was a lot younger and now he’s a star of the competition. Dad has also been huge. Not only for the footy side of things, but just being a father figure and helping us get to wherever we wanted to get to and wherever that might have taken us.
BW: Everyone talks about your dad and the father-son link. But tell us about the influence your mum has had on you?
WA: She’s been huge. Probably not so much on the football side itself, but just everything else around being an athlete, how to live like an athlete, how to be a better person for your community – all those types of things. I credit a lot of things that I’ve achieved to her – and obviously my dad as well. They’ve been a huge support for me and my brother and my sister.
BW: What’s the best piece of advice your mum has given you?
WA: Probably always just to keep your feet pretty grounded and staying humble in success. No matter what you achieve, always remember where you’ve come from and the people who helped you get there. Mum and Dad would never take credit or tell me to thank them. They love what I’ve achieved and what my brother and my sister are going to achieve.
BW: How important has that humility been when, externally, there’s a lot of hype about you this year?
WA: Huge. I think no matter if I’d achieved really highly this year or if I’d struggled throughout the year, I think humility is still a key aspect of how I live my life. Definitely keeping your feet grounded are key words I’ve reflected on a lot this year around that hype you mentioned.
BW: It’s reminiscent of Sam Walsh four years ago who, like yourself, was talked about as the standout Pick 1 favourite but was extremely grounded.
WA: It’s funny you say that. I’ve tried to learn off Sam Walsh from afar for a number of years now. I remember when dad was working here at the AFL and Sam was in his 18th year and I was running around the place, I was talking to him. He’s someone I model my game on on the field, but just as much off the field.
BW: There could be another Ashcroft near the top of the 2024 draft class. A recruiter told me your younger brother Levi might be just as good as you …
WA: People always ask me that and I always say he’s done everything I’ve done up until the 16th year, so he’s well on his way. If he continues to build on his professionalism and train hard and keep growing as a player and a person, he’ll definitely have a very long, successful AFL career.
BW: Are you different players?
WA: I think we’re pretty similar in a lot of ways. We try and take things from each other all the time. That burst of speed, he’s probably working on that a little bit and trying to take that off me and I think his harassment and pressure and tackling intent on the ball is second to none and I’m trying to take that from him.
BRISBANE-BOUND
BW: You officially nominated Brisbane as a father-son prospect a few months back, but you’ve already had a bit to do with them, training with the team last summer and playing a few games for the VFL side. What was that Lions VFL experience like?
WA: Awesome. You’re playing alongside Rhys Matheson, Mitch Robinson – he was incredible. Just those senior guys who are just great teammates on the field but great blokes off the field as well and great support networks.
BW: Mitch Robinson is certainly the kind of player you want to have on your side.
WA: And just his support off the field, especially coming in early days as a 17-year-old in the preseason before I’d even played VFL, he welcomed me in and made me feel part of the Lions’ family. Playing alongside him, he’s just so hard at the ball, team-first attitude – everything you want as a teammate.
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BW: So since your dad left the Suns, have you supported the Lions?
WA: No, I haven’t. I’ve been Geelong all my life. (Cats assistant) Nigel Lappin is obviously close with dad after their flags. Plus I love Joel Selwood, he’s my favourite player. He’s the ultimate captain and role model. I’ve followed Nige and Joel ever since I was pretty young,
BW: How’d you feel when the Cats won the flag last month?
WA: It was awesome. My first Grand Final I went to was in 2011 when they won and then that (2022) was probably the last one I’ll go to as a fan. Joel deserved another one and Paddy (Dangerfield) and those other guys deserved it. Watching that live just gave me a real hunger and taste to try and … well I don’t want to look too far ahead in terms of winning a premiership, but just get into the pre-season and just start and potentially play senior football as soon as I possibly can, straightaway, potentially.
BW: When you officially nominated Brisbane, was there someone from the club that reached out to you or a specific message that’s really stuck with you?
WA: I’d say most players and people I was associated with reached out, which was a really good sign to see the support off the bat straight away. ‘Fages’ reached out and he’s been great for me this year. A bunch of players were on the phone straight away – Hugh McClugage, Lachie Neale, Harris Andrews, a couple of the younger guys like Kai Lohmann and Harry Sharp. The club’s list is in a great position. They’ve got a bunch of superstar players, but it’s even more important that players are getting around teammates – like they did for me even though I haven’t been there for too long – and that just shows the culture is great. They’ve got a lot of great players and a lot of great people.
BW: Add yourself and now Josh Dunkley to that Brisbane midfield. Does that give you an extra sense of excitement for next year?
WA: Definitely. Whenever a player like Josh Dunkley potentially goes to the club you’re moving to is pretty awesome. He’ll be huge for supporting Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage and those types of guys. Hopefully if I can find my way into the team, that’d be awesome to play alongside him as well.
BW: Do you know how the father-son bidding system maths works?
WA: A little bit. I’ve learned about it a fair bit more over the last couple of months. It’s an interesting system.
BW: Assume you’ve seen the Lions are banking a few picks?
WA: I have. It’s all part of it. They’ll do their job. I’ll just worry about the combine and having a bit of a rest off footy and let them do their work.
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BW: Because it’s not just for you, it’s also for Jaspa Fletcher, who’s being talked about as a possible first-round recruit.
WA: I trained with him a fair bit last season and he did a fair bit of the block with me. I’ve played with and against him in Queensland for a number of years before I moved to Melbourne, so I’ve known him for a very long time and am looking forward to being around him a lot more at the Lions. He’s grown heaps in his versatility. I reckon now he can play pretty much every position. I think his kicking is his strength for sure – and that’s a pretty important aspect of the game.
A COUPLE OF GENERIC ONES …
BW: If you had Pick 1 in the draft this year, which player would you select?
WA: I’d take ‘Sheez’. I know him really well, he’s really reliable and I know what he can do. He’s just crafty, he‘s good in the air and on the ground. He’s pretty versatile because he can take a contested mark but he’s got good leg speed. He’s just got so many dimensions to his game.
BW: How would you feel if first-round draftees were forced to sign three-year contracts instead of two years?
WA: Interesting. What’d be the reasoning behind it?
BW: Well after the Jason Horne-Francis situation, Tanner Bruhn to Geelong. So the advantage for clubs is it’d give them a bit more surety, but also help the player settle in for a bit longer.
WA: I agree. If those things were to pan out, that would be potentially a good thing. Three years is probably a good amount of time to see if a player is suited to a club and if that relationship is going to last long-term. I think especially of Tom Papley and reflect on how he really wanted out and then comes back, plays a few really good seasons then signs a really long-term deal. Potentially that could see a few more of those cases with a three-year deal.
BW: Finally, how ready are you physically and mentally for full-time professional AFL footballer life?
WA: I’m as ready as I could be. I haven’t been able to live properly as a professional footballer, but I think I’ve been displaying a lot of traits for a long time now that professional footballers display. I’m just looking forward to it being my full-time job to be honest. I’m definitely mentally ready and I’ve been building physically, probably from the Covid years where I put in a lot of time and had a goal to get to this position I’m in now and be ready to launch straight into an AFL career.
