Brisbane star midfielder Will Ashcroft won't be paying much attention to his individual performance in the QClash on Sunday, but the thought of winning the best-on-ground award named after his father, Marcus, is certainly in the back of his mind.

Marcus Ashcroft was a three-time premiership hero at the Lions during Brisbane's remarkable three-peat era of the early 2000s, playing over 300 games for both the Bears and Lions in his AFL career.

Retiring in 2003, Ashcroft would rejoin the AFL scene in 2008 to form the inaugural coaching staff of the Gold Coast Suns, where he would spend nine years involved at the club as an assistant coach and football manager.

Hence, the QClash medal has been named in Will's father's honour. Ashcroft is no stranger to best on ground performances either, having won the 2024 Norm Smith Medal, and following a strong performance against St Kilda, is in hot form heading into the game against the Suns.

"Personally, it's a big game for me. My family have grown up on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane now as well. There's a lot of my connection there with Dad working at the Suns for a long time and obviously playing here (at Brisbane)," Ashcroft said.

"Having my brother (Levi Ashcroft) on board this year as well to play in our first QClash together is exciting, so I guess it adds a bit of emotion to it from our end.

"It's not something I think about too much (winning the Marcus Ashcroft medal), but the proposition of actually winning it would be pretty cool and something I'd reflect on and think was a pretty cool moment for me and my family.

"I think Levi would be thinking the same thing.

"It's definitely cool that's a part of the game, and for us personally, if that was to happen at some point, it would be a real honour."

It's a near top of the table clash for Brisbane and Gold Coast, sitting second and third on the ladder, with both sides only claiming one loss to date this season.

With Queensland's Labour Day public holiday on Monday, the Lions and Suns' 28th edition of the QClash will take place as the final game of Round 8 on Sunday night at 7:20pm local time.

 2025-05-04T09:20:00Z 
Brisbane WON BY 17 POINTS
Gabba
BL   
66
FT
49
   GC