Brisbane has a way of making football families part of club history, and the Ashcrofts are now right in the middle of that story again. Levi Ashcroft came with a well-known last name, a lot of junior trophies, and the kind of hopes that can eat up a teenager. Instead, he’s leant into it, and the Lions have leant into him.
It’s easy to list the main facts: Levi Ashcroft came to Brisbane because of the father-son rule. The club matched an early bid and took him at Pick 5 in the 2024 draft. But the bigger story, the one that sounds like a real footy story, is how quickly he went from being “the next Ashcroft” to a “real AFL contributor” and why recruiters and coaches are talking about his game in specific terms instead of just hype.
This is the most accurate and up-to-date look at Levi Ashcroft, including his family background, the draft moment, his early impact in the AFL, what he does well, and what his next step will be.
Levi Ashcroft and the Ashcroft Legacy in Brisbane Football
There is football DNA, and then there is the Brisbane version, where family names are not only remembered but also become part of the club’s identity.
Levi is the son of Marcus Ashcroft, who played for the Bears and Lions and won three premierships. He is also the younger brother of Will Ashcroft, who is already a key part of Brisbane’s midfield future. The father-son connection isn’t just a marketing trick; it also affects how the draft goes, how bids are matched, and how the club builds its long-term list.
When Levi officially chose Brisbane as a father-son pick, people already thought he would be a top draft pick who would choose the Lions path. That matters because it changes “maybe” to “locked in” and the draft becomes a countdown.
Levi Ashcroft and the Father-Son Choice That Changed the Draft
There is always debate over father-son picks: romance versus list management, sentiment versus value. Levi Ashcroft’s case was different because he was a real top-end prospect, not just a nice family addition for Brisbane.
Before the draft, Levi Ashcroft agreed to join Brisbane as a father-son pick. This put him next to Will at the Lions. Brisbane’s own messages showed real excitement: Levi had officially agreed to join the club as a father-son.
And then the next step was clear: an early bid, a game, and a high pick being used. That’s how the system works when other teams value the player as much as you do.
Levi Ashcroft on Draft Night-Pick 5 and a Moment of Truth
Draft night can be like a play. It was also a statement for Brisbane in 2024: the Ashcroft line wasn’t slowing down.
After matching a bid, Brisbane got Levi Ashcroft with Pick 5. This officially brought the Ashcroft name deeper into the club’s future. It’s not common for a team to get a father-son at that level of draft capital without the other teams making it clear that they want him too.
Recruiting experts around the pick pointed out a specific quality that set Levi apart from many of his peers. This is a reminder that in clubs, the language isn’t romance; it’s skill, projection, and repeatability.
Levi Ashcroft’s Junior Career and Why Clubs Bid Early
“Gun junior” is easy to say. It’s harder to explain why a player gets early bids and plans for the long term.
Levi Ashcroft’s junior résumé included playing for top teams like the Sandringham Dragons and Vic Metro in national championships. This variety was important because it showed that he could keep playing well in different systems. Profiles that were aimed at recruiters also stressed how many games he had already won as a junior and how well he fit into the Brisbane succession plan.
The main point is that Brisbane didn’t write a “project.” They picked a player that the other teams thought they had to test with an early bid.
Levi Ashcroft’s First Year in the AFL-Training, Recovery, and Pressure to Choose
It’s not just speed and strength that make the jump from junior footy to AFL. It’s also getting used to the routine, being tough, and working hard to get minutes in a midfield that’s already full.
Levi Ashcroft was recovering from shoulder surgery and getting ready for match simulations and trials early in 2025. This is the less glamorous side of a debut season that fans don’t always see. And in Brisbane, there is real selection pressure; it’s not just “we’ll play you because you’re a good story.” You play because you can help in a role.
That’s why his early involvement, including being thought of as a member of the matchday squad, was important. It meant that he wasn’t being treated as a future prospect; instead, he was being treated as an option.
Levi Ashcroft’s first game in the AFL and Brisbane’s public messaging
Brisbane confirmed the big moment when Levi Ashcroft was chosen to play, calling it the first game for a famous Lions family name. Language is important: it’s club media, yes, but it also shows what the organisation thinks the moment means.
The bigger conversation about his first AFL chances focused on how quickly he raised his hand during the pre-season and early-season weeks, and how Brisbane might use him—as a sub, a rotation piece, or a wing or half-forward who can pinch-hit through the middle.
Levi Ashcroft and the Rising Star Nomination That Made People Talk
Every young player wants a game that they can use as a guide. That moment came early for Levi Ashcroft.
After impressing at the MCG, he was named the Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee for Round 4. Brisbane said he was one of the Lions’ best players in the win. The coverage of the moment got the tone just right when it called it a “pinch yourself moment.” This short phrase stuck because it sounded like the truth of a teenager announcing himself on a big stage.
Rising Star nods aren’t awards for a lifetime of work; they’re pictures. But they do show that the other kids are starting to see the kid as more than just a nice story.
What the Game Tape Shows About Levi Ashcroft’s Playing Style
This is the best way to describe Levi Ashcroft: he plays like a modern AFL mid who can win it, use it, and change roles without losing his core strengths.
There was a lot of talk about his draft build-up, and the one thing that Brisbane recruiters loved about him was a skill that set him apart from other players at the junior level. Rising Star coverage talked about him in terms of the different roles he has played, showing how he has already done a lot of different things on the field.
He has played in midfield, on the wing, and as a half-forward, and even though he has received praise early on, he is still in “prove it” mode instead of settling down.
Levi Ashcroft and the Stacked Midfield Challenge in Brisbane
At some clubs, a young mid gets a lot of time in the centre bounce because there aren’t any other players. Brisbane is the other way around.
A lot of people have said that the Lions’ midfield is deep and high-quality. This means that Levi Ashcroft has to earn his rotations instead of being given them. That can slow down a kid’s raw numbers, but it can also make them sharper. You have to impact fast, defend hard, and know how to structure.
That stress is one reason why his early performances went the way they did. He wasn’t adding stats to a team that was rebuilding. He was doing his part on a team that expects players to act like they’re in the finals.
Levi Ashcroft Similarities and differences between Will Ashcroft and
It’s normal for fans to compare him to Will. The club does it quietly, too, because planning a list is partly about patterns.
But Levi is not the same as everyone else. People who write about Brisbane’s view of him often talk about how well-rounded he is and how well he reads the game, while also noting how naturally he finds the ball, which is similar to how his family does it.
Instead of asking “who’s better?” it’s better to ask “how do they fit together?” Brisbane’s dream scenario is clear: two Ashcrofts driving the midfield for years, each with their own strengths that make it hard for opponents to match up.
Levi Ashcroft’s Contract Extension and Brisbane’s Long-Term Bet
Teenagers don’t get long-term deals from clubs just for the fun of it. They extend their contracts when they have a strong internal projection, which is a combination of performance, character, and work ethic.
Brisbane confirmed that Levi Ashcroft signed a three-year extension that keeps him at the club until at least 2030. They called it the cherry on top of a great first season. Contract rules also explain why top draft picks often get extensions after a certain point in their first year and why Levi’s deal was always going to happen when the time was right.
Levi Ashcroft’s Numbers, Impact and What Stats Miss
Levi Ashcroft’s Numbers, Effects, and What Stats Miss Stats can help, but they can also lead young mids in the wrong direction. Early in their careers, players often have to do sub-vest minutes, wing time, or forward pressure assignments that don’t show up as clean “midfielder totals.”
At this point, what matters more are the themes that keep coming up in official coverage: impact moments, score involvement, clean use, and structural discipline.
You won’t get the point if you only look at Levi Ashcroft’s raw disposals. Brisbane’s choice of him and the terms of his contract show that they are judging him based on how well he follows AFL rules and does his job—this is how they build trust.
Levi Ashcroft Injury Updates and Availability Watch
Young players often have to deal with injuries, soreness, and even surgery that changes the way they play in the first few seasons as their bodies get used to the AFL load.
Talks about the injury list for Brisbane’s midfield show how important depth players like Levi Ashcroft become when the schedule gets tight. Earlier reports about his recovery from shoulder surgery also showed that he could not only come back but also perform, not just get through.
Resilience is also a part of the story, along with availability.
Levi Ashcroft’s Future Role and Brisbane’s Chance to Win the Premiership
Brisbane’s list strategy is clear: keep the premiership window open by bringing in new players without changing the whole team.
Levi Ashcroft is a perfect fit for that plan. He adds another high-end piece to a strong core, and his long-term contract shows that he is not just a one-year wonder; he will be with the team for the next five years.
What happens next?
- More responsibility in the minutes of the AFL
- More time in the middle as rotations change
- Expectations are higher now that he has been extended.
- Because the Ashcroft name invites it, there is ongoing comparison.
If the early signs are any indication, Levi Ashcroft won’t be running away from those expectations. He will use them.
FAQ’S
Levi Ashcroft is who?
Levi Ashcroft is an Australian rules football player who was picked by the Brisbane Lions at Pick 5 in the 2024 AFL Draft. He is a father-son selection.
Why can Levi Ashcroft be picked as a father-son?
Levi is eligible under AFL father-son rules because his dad, Marcus Ashcroft, played 318 games for the Brisbane Bears and Brisbane Lions.
What number did Levi Ashcroft get in the draft?
Brisbane got Levi Ashcroft with Pick 5 after matching a bid at the 2024 AFL Draft.
Has Levi Ashcroft been nominated for a Rising Star?
Yes. He was chosen as the Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee for Round 4 in 2025 after a great game at the MCG.
How long is Levi Ashcroft’s contract with Brisbane?
Levi Ashcroft has signed a three-year extension to his contract that keeps him in Brisbane until at least 2030.
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