GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 26: Will Ashcroft of Vic Metro celebrates a goal during the U17 Championships match between Vic Country and Vic Metro at GMHBA Stadium on June 26, 2021 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos)
Brisbane may need to ready themselves for the prospect of missing out on father-son gun Will Ashcroft at the 2022 National Draft.
As the son of a triple premiership-winning Lion, Marcus Ashcroft, and a product of the Sunshine State, the 17-year-old had previously held strong ties to continue his father's legacy in maroon, blue and gold.
However, after moving from Queensland to Victoria in 2018, the Gabba side could well miss out on the 318-gamer's offspring due to a shift in mindset.
Speaking with The Herald Sun ahead of his final underage season, Ashcroft claimed that although he was born and bred within Lions territory, he now saw himself as a Victorian through and through.
“I love it in Melbourne. I think I’m a Melburnian now – I’ve been here for long enough,” Ashcroft stated.
While yet to make a decision on whether he would pick up his father's baton at the Gabba during the 2023 season, the Brighton Grammar graduate was content with life in footy's heartland.
“I’m at uni here, my whole family’s here and I’m playing footy here so at the moment I’m just trying to take it day by day, to be honest," Ashcroft continued.
“I think it (the father-son decision) is in the back of my mind at the moment.
“It’s not at the forefront. I’m just trying to improve my game and looking forward to the year ahead.
“But I think when the time comes it will be weighed up pretty heavily.
“It’s a pretty big decision for myself and my family. So it’s definitely there but it’s nowhere near time to think about that.”
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With the teenage midfielder seen as a likely first-round draftee, should Ashcroft make a call in the Lions' favour, it would provide a significant shot in the arm for Chris Fagan's already brimming engine room.
Ahead of another full season with NAB League outfit Sandringham and hopes of a return to the Vic Metro representative side ahead of him, the Bayside local's true value is yet to be entirely determined.
Still, this hasn't halted early predictions that the aerobic talent could well be taken with the opening pick of this year's draft.
The son of a gun ran amok for the Big V during the 2021 Under-17s carnival, collecting 33 disposals, 12 clearances and two goals in an eye-catching outing against Vic Country at Kardinia Park.
Ashcroft's final season as a Dragon is set to commence on Sunday, April 3 when Sandringham take on geographic rivals Oakleigh Chargers at RSEA Park at 1:00pm.
The date for the 2022 AFL Draft is yet to be released by league headquarters.
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