Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is thrilled Will Ashcroft chose to be nominated to join the Lions as a father-son selection.
Ashcroft, widely viewed as the best player in this year’s draft pool, informed the Lions of his decision on Thursday.
The prolific young midfielder is the son of 318-game Brisbane great Marcus Ashcroft.
Fagan says Ashcroft is an “outstanding” footballer and an “incredible” professional for someone so young.
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“I’ve had a big smile on my face all day,” the Lions mentor told sports day.
“He’s trained a fair bit with us, played some games in our reserves… he’s a wonderful person and he’s an outstanding footballer.
“He’s a real professional for his age – he’s incredible, really.
“I’ve been very, very hopeful that he would make that call and I’m so glad that he has.
“Obviously with Marcus playing 300 games for the club, it’s fantastic to continue the family tradition.
“He’s got a younger brother by the name of Levi who’s a pretty good little footballer too. Maybe they’ll all be in Brisbane colors eventually, which would be great.
“We’re incredibly grateful that he’s made the call to come to us.”
Fagan was asked if Ashcroft is currently at the level to play in Brisbane’s AFL side.
“It puts a lot of pressure on the kid if you answer yes to that question,” he replied.
“On what we saw in the reserves game he played against the Swans, it wouldn’t have been beyond the realms of possibility this year that if he was our player right now that he would’ve played at least some games.
“I think he’s a pretty special talent.”
Ashcroft, 18, averaged 28 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances across the two VFL games this year.
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