When Will Ashcroft last took on Geelong, what followed were the “toughest days” of his life.
But his rapid comeback – a year in the making after suffering a ruptured ACL – has led to the ultimate demon-vanquishing mission.
This was not a two-month build-up for the Brisbane Lion. His heroics against the Giants last week were no flash in the pan.
Will Ashcroft suffered a season-ending injury after 18 games in 2023.Credit: AFL Photos
He hit the ground running from the moment he retook the field in round 17.
But Brisbane vice-captain Hugh McCluggage saw the work Ashcroft put in behind the scenes.
“It’s remarkable for anyone but Will Ashcroft, I’d say,” McCluggage said, before this Saturday’s preliminary final against the Cats.
“He worked as hard as anyone when he was in rehab.
“It’s not just the physical side, it’s the mental side as well in a final when people can tighten up.
“As an older player, you can probably be thinking a little bit as a result and what’s on the line.
“He was so strong, he willed himself onto the contest in that second half. He just played with freedom, you could see that.”
Where there’s a Will, there’s a way
A leading medical expert believes Ashcroft’s return has defied what is traditionally common.
Former orthopaedic surgeon Dr Steve Lawrie, who has worked with sporting bodies such as the Melbourne Storm and Sunshine Coast Lightning, said an athlete would typically take two years for the risk of re-injury to lessen.
The timing of Ashcroft’s return, he said, was crucial, given the “tendency to rush professional athletes back early”.
“It’s uncommon, but it’s not surprising [what Ashcroft has done]. Most guys are slow to come back … but it’s very individual,” Lawrie said.
“Some people, especially in contact sports, can take another season to get back to peak fitness.
“You often see when guys come back … they have their knee strapped for a season, they don’t step off that side, they’re not as powerful as what they were beforehand.
“A 20-year-old guy often has so much self-confidence it doesn’t come into play, but other guys can be paralysed with fear.”
During his rehabilitation, Ashcroft conceded to this masthead he could not allow his emotions to keep him wallowing in self-pity. He bulked up and put himself in the best shape of his life.
Now, the son of three-time premiership hero Marcus Ashcroft faces the greatest test of his career.
Ashcroft made a huge difference in the middle for the Lions.Credit: Getty Images
And his recent efforts had coach Chris Fagan salivating.
As star midfield team-mate Lachie Neale was pinned down by the Giants – his 19 touches just the second time this year he failed to hit 20 – Ashcroft answered the call with 10 final-quarter disposals.
If the dual-Brownlow Medal winner gets tagged, Ashcroft can make the Cats pay.
“If you’re going to tag Lachie, we’ve got Josh Dunkley, Hughey McCluggage and Will Ashcroft who will pop up,” Fagan said.
“That’s what we need, we need an even spread of talent through the midfield.
“We didn’t need Lachie to necessarily play a super game for us to win, and I think Will Ashcroft, wow, what a game from a boy who’s 20 years of age.”
The young prove restless
Around Ashcroft, Brisbane’s cohort of rookies had huge moments against the Giants.
A goal from fellow father-son draftee Jaspa Fletcher just inside 50 to get his side within eight points was sensational, while Kai Lohmann nailed two maximums and assisted Joe Daniher’s match-winner.
But former Lions star Luke Hodge said those characteristics had been evident since the team began salvaging a horror start to the season.
Winning just two of their opening seven games, Brisbane needed an injection of belief.
And the two-time Norm Smith Medal winner believed the young prospects provided it.
“When they were sitting at four-and-half wins from 11 games … I think the youngsters are what brought a bit of spark to the Lions,” Hodge said.
“You look at Kai Lohmann in that forward line, all you’ve got to do is look at him, and you start smiling with what he brings, and Darcy Wilmot is similar.
“Will’s been amazing. Even though he had the knee, his last six or seven games have been consistent, and then you’ve got a young bloke like [Logan] Morris who’s come in and pinch-hit.
“I think the older guys have been crucial, but the younger guys have been just as important to freshen the place up and bring a bit of excitement.”
Next year there will be another Ashcroft in the Den, when younger brother Levi launches his AFL career.
The teenager – who kicked a goal and finished with 35 disposals, 11 clearances and eight score involvements in his VFL debut for the Lions – still recalls the days of competing for everything alongside Will growing up.
Levi Ashcroft’s dream to play with his brother Will in the AFL is a reality.
Perhaps those sibling battles refined a ball-winning ability that has captured pundits’ attention.
“It was very competitive [growing up], we competed in everything,” Levi said. “It used to be me and my younger sister versus Will in most things.
“But I think that’s helped us grow into the people and the players we are. He’s one of my best mates in the world.
“I feed off him for advice, whether it’s footy or life. I’ve kept in contact with him heaps, he’s got a wealth of knowledge to give me over this journey.”
