Brisbane Lions midfielder Levi Ashcroft impressed in his first game on the mighty MCG to be named the Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee for Round 4.

Ashcroft, taken as a father-son selection with Pick 5 at the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, was one of his side’s best players in Saturday’s 28-point win over Richmond.

The 18-year-old shared his time on the wing and up forward as he gave the crowd of more than 40,000 an exciting glimpse of his talents.

Ashcroft finished the day with a notable stats sheet of a goal, four marks, four intercept possessions, six score involvements, 22 disposals and 321 metres gained.

Brisbane Lions General Manager Football, Danny Daly said Ashcroft had produced a strong start to the season in his debut year.

“Levi is one of the most impressive first-year players you will find both on and off the field, so it’s great to see him receive recognition like this,” Daly said.

“The way he trains and prepares is a real credit to him and not only is that allowing him to contribute to the team, he is starting to reap the rewards himself also.

“What is quite incredible is that Levi, as a young kid in his first year, has come into a strong team that is the reigning premier and yet he is helping us improve.

“The challenge for him now is to keep working hard and keep building on what he has delivered in the first four games.”

The young midfielder has become the third Ashcroft to play for the Brisbane Lions, following in the footsteps of older brother and current teammate Will and his father Marcus – whose number 10 he now wears.

Ashcroft joined the Lions from the Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League where he played in three premierships and won two best and fairest awards.
His journey to Brisbane also included an APS Premiership with Brighton Grammar School and junior football with St Kilda City in Melbourne.