The Brisbane Lions have secured prized father-son selection Levi Ashcroft with Pick 5 at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night.
Brisbane selected the impressive 17-year-old at Pick 5 after it matched a bid from Melbourne.
Ashcroft, one of the most highly rated and talented players in the draft, becomes the third member of his family to wear the maroon, blue and gold.
The prolific midfielder is son of Lions triple premiership player and club legend Marcus Ashcroft who played 318 games for the club.
He is also the younger brother of Will, who starred in the Lions premiership win this season claiming the Norm Smith Medal as best on ground.
Ashcroft enters the AFL after an incredible final year of underage football where he experienced plenty of team and individual success.
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Brisbane Lions National Recruiting Manager Stephen Conole said the club was super excited to add Ashcroft to its list.
“Levi is an incredibly consistent and competitive player who will be adding more potency to our midfield,” Conole said.
“He had an outstanding junior career playing in the Sandringham Dragons’ three-peat and being a key midfield component in Vic Metro’s victory in the National Championships.
“I am sure this will transfer across to his senior football with the Brisbane Lions.
“Above his natural talent, Levi is a young man who plays with a really strong team ethos and is a great team person and will be a fantastic addition to our squad.”
The club is thrilled to have landed the talented father-son, though joining the Lions as reigning premier and a club in a successful era is not lost on the teenager.
Ashcroft is no stranger to the club due to his family’s connection as well as having already trained with the team on several occasions over the past two years.
It was during this time that the young midfielder knew he wanted to be a Lion.
“The Brisbane Lions are just such a great club to be a part of, it’s a very team-orientated culture,” Ashcroft said.
“Everyone wants to win for each other and wants the best for each other, there’s no individuals at this club it’s all about the team and winning as one as a group.
“Everyone has so much fun being together as a group and enjoy each other’s company, which I really love about the club.
“I’ve been so included when training at the club, even before being drafted I still felt such a part of what the team is doing and building - so that was a driving force.”
Ashcroft, who possesses a determination and hunger to succeed, now wants to use those traits to do whatever he can to help the Lions experience more success.
“I am very competitive; I want to win and want to do everything for my teammates and the club I am playing for,” he said.
“I love the big moments and big games which are what you play for, and hopefully I can keep being in those moments with the Lions like the team did so well this year.”
