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Young gun Will Ashcroft has become just the third Lion in history to claim the Norm Smith Medal, after being named best on ground in Saturday’s decider. Ashcroft becomes the youngest winner of the medal after scoring 14 of a possible 15 votes. Ashcroft had 30 disposals, 11 score involvements and a goal in Brisbane’s 60-point win over Sydney at the MCG to pip teammates Lachie Neale and Callum Ah Chee to the title.
Watch every game of the NAB AFL Women’s Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today > His performance was enough for judges Jack Riewoldt, journalist Riley Beveridge, Shaun Burgoyne, journalist Anna Harrington and Rory Sloane to vote Ashcroft the best player in the grand final. SEE THE FINAL VOTE TALLY BELOW Ashcroft becomes the first Lion since Simon Black back in 2003 to claim the Norm Smith Medal.
Black was a runaway winner with his success, after claiming all five best on ground votes. Keidean Coleman - who missed Saturday’s decider through injury - had become the first Lion since Black to poll Norm Smith votes when he was awarded five in last year’s losing grand final to Collingwood. But this year, the award belonged to Ashcroft who was handed his medal by retired Cat Steve Johnson.
“We’ve had our ups and down ...
especially this year, we stuck fat. We just dug in and I can’t believe we’ve actually achieved the ultimate prize,” Ashcroft said in his acceptance speech. It’s a remarkable rise for the 2022 number two draft pick, who missed the majority of the season after sustaining an ACL injury late last year.
But the young gun fought his way back and managed to see out the season after his return in Round 17. In more good news for the premiers, Ashcroft’s brother Levi, who is tipped to go number one in the draft, is also set to join the club as a father-son pick. The only other Lion to win the prestigious Norm Smith honour is Shaun Hart back in 2001.
NORM SMITH MEDAL FINAL TALLY 14 – Will Ashcroft, Brisbane Lions – 33332 8 – Lachie Neale, Brisbane Lions – 3221 7 – Callum Ah Chee, Brisbane Lions – 22111 1 – Kai Lohmann, Brisbane Lions – 1 Judges voting (3, 2, 1): Jack Riewoldt (Chair) – Will Ashcroft, Callum Ah Chee, Lachie Neale Riley Beveridge (AFL.com.au) – Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft, Callum Ah Chee Shaun Burgoyne (Channel Seven) Will Ashcroft, Lachie Neale, Callum Ah Chee Anna Harrington (AAP) – Will Ashcroft, Lachie Neale, Callum Ah Chee Rory Sloane (2024 Retiring Great, Adelaide Crows) Will Ashcroft, Callum Ah Chee, Kai Lohmann.
