There’s something about a 20-year-old winning back-to-back Norm Smith Medals that makes you stop and wonder: is this normal? Will Ashcroft did it in 2024 and 2025, becoming the first player since Dustin Martin to achieve the feat. This profile lays out his family background, career milestones, salary context, and what makes the Ashcroft name a growing force in AFL.
Date of birth: 6 May 2004 ·
Height: 182 cm ·
Position: Midfielder ·
Team: Brisbane Lions ·
Norm Smith Medals: 2 ·
AFL games played: 73
Quick snapshot
- Drafted: 2022 (pick 2) (Wikipedia)
- Contract extension to 2030 (2025) (Brisbane Lions)
- Back-to-back Grand Final wins (ESPN)
At 21, Ashcroft has already matched achievements that most players chase for an entire career. His contract through 2030 means Brisbane’s midfield is built around him for the next half-decade.
Six key facts, all verified against official and media sources:
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Will Ashcroft | Brisbane Lions |
| Date of Birth | 6 May 2004 | Wikipedia |
| Height | 182 cm | Brisbane Lions |
| Position | Midfielder | Brisbane Lions |
| Club | Brisbane Lions | Brisbane Lions |
| Norm Smith Medals | 2 | ABC News |
The pattern: every stat line confirms a prodigy trajectory. The only uncertainties are financial, and they are thin.
Are Will and Levi Ashcroft brothers?
- Yes, Will and Levi Ashcroft are brothers – but not twins. Levi was born in 2006, two years younger than Will (ESPN).
- Both play for the Brisbane Lions after being recruited as father-son selections (ESPN).
Relationship between Will and Levi Ashcroft
Their father Marcus played 228 AFL games for Brisbane and Essendon and won two premierships, making the Ashcroft name synonymous with Lions success. Levi was drafted in 2024 and debuted in 2025.
Having two Ashcroft sons at the same club is rare in modern AFL. Levi’s midfield role complements Will’s, giving Brisbane a sibling synergy that few teams can match.
The pattern: sibling duos at the same club are uncommon; a father-son-son trifecta is almost unheard of. Brisbane is building a dynasty on family ties.
How much does Will Ashcroft get paid and what is his net worth?
- Will Ashcroft’s exact salary is not publicly disclosed by the club.
- Media reporting around his 2025 contract extension placed him “around the $1 million a year mark” according to trade analysts (AFL trade media, via Reddit).
- His net worth is estimated at roughly $5 million, including endorsements and football earnings – but no official figure exists.
The catch: without a club announcement, all salary and net worth figures remain speculative. The only confirmed financial detail is that his contract runs until 2030 (Brisbane Lions).
If Ashcroft is earning close to $1 million a year at age 21, Brisbane is betting he will be a top-10 player in the league by his mid-20s. If the bet pays off, the deal becomes a bargain; if not, it constrains cap space.
Who are Will Ashcroft’s parents?
- Will’s parents are Marcus Ashcroft and Kylie Ashcroft.
- Marcus played 228 games for Brisbane and Essendon, won two AFL premierships (2001, 2002), and is one of the most respected figures in Queensland football (ESPN).
Mother – Kylie Ashcroft
Kylie has been a private figure but is regularly seen supporting her sons at games. She played a key role in the boys’ early development.
Father – Marcus Ashcroft (former AFL player)
Marcus’s playing career laid the foundation for Will and Levi’s path to the Lions via father-son rules. He currently works as an AFL talent manager for the Gold Coast SUNS but remains closely involved in his sons’ careers.
What this means: the Ashcroft household is one of the most football-savvy in Australia. Will grew up inside elite training environments, a clear advantage for a young midfielder.
How many Norm Smith medals has Will Ashcroft won?
- Two Norm Smith Medals: 2024 and 2025 (ABC News).
- He became the first player since Dustin Martin (2017, 2019) to win consecutive Norm Smiths (ABC News).
- He is only the third player in VFL/AFL history to achieve this, joining Martin and Andrew McLeod (ESPN).
- At age 20, he was the youngest Norm Smith medallist since the award began in 1979 (Brisbane Lions).
2024 Norm Smith Medal
In Brisbane’s 2024 Grand Final win, Ashcroft collected 28 possessions, six clearances, and kicked a goal, earning the medal as a 20-year-old (Brisbane Lions).
2025 Norm Smith Medal
A year later, he went even bigger: 32 disposals, 10 clearances, four marks, a goal, three goal assists, and eight tackles (ABC News).
The implication: Ashcroft’s two Norm Smith medals are not flukes. His stats improved in the second grand final, showing he rises under pressure.
What is Will Ashcroft’s background and career?
- Born 6 May 2004 in Australia (Wikipedia).
- Attended Caulfield Grammar School in Melbourne.
- Drafted by Brisbane Lions with pick 2 in the 2022 AFL Draft (Wikipedia).
- Made AFL debut in round 1, 2023.
- Missed the 2023 Grand Final due to a knee reconstruction (ESPN).
- Returned in round 17 of the 2024 season after recovery (Wikipedia).
- Signed a four-year contract extension through 2030 in October 2025 (Brisbane Lions).
Early life and education
Growing up in Melbourne, Ashcroft played junior football at the East Sandringham Zebras before boarding at Caulfield Grammar, a school known for producing AFL talent. His early exposure to elite sport through his father gave him a head start in game understanding.
AFL career debut
Selected with pick 2 in 2022, Ashcroft made an immediate impact, averaging 22 disposals in his debut season before the knee injury sidelined him. His resilience to return and win consecutive Norm Smiths has drawn comparisons to the league’s greatest midfielders.
The takeaway: Ashcroft’s career arc – from injury setback to back-to-back Grand Final heroics – shows mental toughness that matches his physical talent.
Timeline signal
Six dates trace Ashcroft’s rapid rise:
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 6 May 2004 | Born in Australia | Wikipedia |
| 2022 AFL Draft | Selected by Brisbane Lions with pick 2 | Wikipedia |
| Round 1, 2023 | AFL debut | Wikipedia |
| 28 September 2024 | Won first Norm Smith Medal in Grand Final | Brisbane Lions |
| 27 September 2025 | Won second Norm Smith Medal in Grand Final | ABC News |
| 2025 | Reported contract extension through 2030 | Brisbane Lions |
The signal: each milestone accelerates. From draft to dual Norm Smith in three years – Ashcroft is compressing a career’s worth of achievements into his early twenties.
Clarity: what we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Will and Levi Ashcroft are brothers – not twins (ESPN)
- Father is Marcus Ashcroft, former AFL player (ESPN)
- Won Norm Smith Medal in 2024 and 2025 (ABC News)
- Height 182 cm, born 6 May 2004 (Wikipedia)
- Contract extension through 2030 (Brisbane Lions)
- Drafted pick 2 in 2022 (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact salary figures (reported around $1M but not official)
- Net worth (estimates only)
- Injury history details beyond the knee reconstruction
- Mother’s full name (Kylie Ashcroft) not officially sourced
Quotes from around the game
He’s got a composure that belies his age. For a 20-year-old to stand up in a Grand Final like that is something we haven’t seen in a long time.
Chris Fagan, Brisbane Lions head coach, after the 2024 Grand Final
The new deal will have Will Ashcroft around the $1 million a year mark.
Cal Twomey, AFL trade analyst, reporting on the 2025 contract extension
Summary
Will Ashcroft has gone from a father-son prospect to a generational talent in less than three AFL seasons. His back-to-back Norm Smith Medals at age 20 and 21, his 2030 contract, and his brother Levi’s arrival at the same club make the Ashcroft name a defining story in Brisbane’s premiership window. For the rest of the competition, the implication is clear: devise a plan to limit him, or watch another flag go north.
Related reading: Will Ashcroft’s back-to-back Norm Smith Medals · Levi Ashcroft father-son recruit
7news.com.au, reddit.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, facebook.com, instagram.com, tiktok.com, reddit.com
The family sporting legacy continues with his younger brother Levi also making a name for himself in the AFL.
Frequently asked questions
What is Will Ashcroft’s Instagram username?
His Instagram handle is @will.ashcroft (verified account).
What guernsey number does Will Ashcroft wear?
He wears number 2 for the Brisbane Lions.
Where was Will Ashcroft born?
He was born in Australia, though his specific birthplace is not widely published. He grew up in Melbourne.
How many goals has Will Ashcroft kicked in his AFL career?
As of the end of the 2025 season, he has kicked 27 goals in 73 games (Brisbane Lions stats).
What is Will Ashcroft’s contract length?
His current contract runs through the 2030 season, signed in October 2025 (Brisbane Lions).
Does Will Ashcroft have any sisters?
Public information does not list any sisters; he has one brother, Levi.
When did Will Ashcroft win his first AFL premiership?
Will Ashcroft won his first AFL premiership with the Brisbane Lions in 2024, and his second in 2025.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Current, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.