Will Ashcroft by no means made a secret of his want to be the AFL’s No.1 draft decide.
While the Brisbane Lions father-son recruit in the end needed to wait a little bit longer than he had hoped, he ended up on the membership the place he was at all times destined to be.
“It’s out of my control,” Ashcroft stated after being drafted at decide two on Monday evening, with Greater Western Sydney opting to make use of the highest choice on key ahead Aaron Cadman.
“I’ve done everything I can this year and worked on what I could and put everything I could forward.
“I respect what different golf equipment need to do with their picks. It’s not for me to evaluate over.
“I’m happy with where I sit and looking forward to playing footy.”
Ashcroft, the son of Brisbane triple-premiership nice Marcus Ashcroft, is aware of he faces a battle to interrupt right into a talent-packed Lions midfield.
But the 18-year-old is buoyed by the prospect of working alongside Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale and growth recruit Josh Dunkley in a crew that shapes as a premiership contender in 2023.
“It’s going to create a really strong environment, which is what I want to be a part of,” Ashcroft stated.
“I want to be part of a winning culture and I value my leadership, my desire and my winning mentality to win games of footy.
“I believe I’ll slot in very well there and it simply makes me hungrier and keener to combat arduous for spots and win video games for the Lions.”
Ashcroft was one of two father-son selections by Brisbane in the first round of the draft, joined by Adrian Fletcher’s son Jaspa.
The Lions had to match North Melbourne’s bid at pick two to land the nation’s best underage midfielder.
Ashcroft had conversations with the Kangaroos before nominating as a father-son selection for Brisbane, with whom his father Marcus played 318 games.
“Following in his footsteps and going to a membership the place he was so profitable as a person and the crew is an superior feeling for each of us,” Ashcroft said.
Ashcroft could be joined at the Lions in 2025 by younger brother Levi, who was an under-16 All-Australian selection this year.
“He’s obtained to place two extra good years collectively and see how he goes,” Ashcroft stated.
“I’ve obtained full religion that he’ll do all the pieces he can to be the very best participant he may be.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops and if that’s what he wants to do.”
Ashcroft was born and raised in Queensland earlier than relocating to Melbourne as a young person.
He will transfer to Brisbane on Wednesday and participate in his first coaching session with the Lions that afternoon.
