Their fathers are some of the most famous names in Lions’ history, but this modern-day trio are on the cusp of succeeding their legacies.
After Adrian Fletcher cemented his reputation as one of the old Brisbane Bears’ toughest competitors, before featuring in the Lions’ maiden campaign, Marcus Ashcroft etched his name into the record books within the famed triple premiership-winning sides of the early 2000s.
Now their sons – Jaspa Fletcher and Will Ashcroft – are a win over Fremantle on Saturday away from equalling those three-straight titles. But more remarkably, given Ashcroft senior retired after hoisting the trophy in 2003, they are still in the fledgling stages of their AFL careers.
At just 22, Will has announced himself as one of the code’s leading players in big moments – evidenced by his back-to-back Norm Smith Medals. Another medallion would draw him level with Richmond great Dustin Martin, but make him the first to achieve the feat in consecutive seasons.
His exploits in the preliminary final thriller against Hawthorn – finishing with a goal, 28 disposals, eight clearances, 10 inside 50s and two goal assists – thrust him to the top of the leaderboard in the race for the Gary Ayres Award for the finals series’ most dominant player.
As Fletcher – who joined Will in Brisbane as a father-son draftee in 2023 – declared his close mate “sets his sight on September” from the first rep of preseason, younger brother Levi Ashcroft said his ability to raise his standard in big games stemmed from their childhood.
“It is widely known all the things he does during the week – preparation, nutrition, all the stuff that goes on – he’s doing all the extras the top guys do,” Levi, whose debut season finished with the 2025 premiership, said.
“All that stuff definitely helps him be ready and be prepared for big moments, and it just feels like he elevates himself and his game when those big moments come.
“I feel like that’s the narrative; we’re born to play in these moments, but I feel like with all the hard work we’ve done behind the scenes for 15 years to be ready and feel like we’re prepared for big moments, we really like to attack them and want to make an impact.”
While the Ashcroft siblings have captured headlines, Fletcher’s quieter demeanour and defensive nous has meant his own piece of history has flown under the radar.
On Saturday, the 22-year-old will become the first player of the AFL era to reach the last Saturday of September in each of his first four seasons.
It is ironic, Fletcher laughed, given his junior career included a solitary grand final; one he lost by 100 points. While his first for the Lions ended in defeat to the Magpies in 2023, he believed it proved the catalyst for the club’s back-to-back titles.
“I remember after the game, [coach Chris Fagan’s] first message was ‘sometimes to win a grand final, you have to lose one’. I know at the time that’s not what people wanted to hear, but at the end of the day, I think it’s probably true,” Fletcher said.
“You learn a lot of lessons about how to go about the day and the week leading in, so I think that 2023 loss – as much as you want to win – probably set us up the last couple of years knowing how to go about grand final week, and how different the day is compared to a regular game.”
After a year in which the halfback concedes he has not lived up to his own lofty standards – his average disposals (18.92), rebound 50s (3.08) and inside 50s (2.08) all down from last season, after enduring a slow start from off-season shoulder surgery – Fletcher vowed to cast his frustrations behind him on the biggest stage.
“I’ve been pretty honest with my form this year and haven’t been overly proud with how I’ve gone about it. I think I could’ve gotten a little bit more out of myself,” he admitted.
“I had my shoulder done in the off season, and you don’t really do much of a preseason, everything’s a bit delayed, and it’s a 20-week injury. But at the same time I don’t really like to use that as an excuse – that’s just part of footy.”
The Ashcrofts and Fletcher had been poised to have even more demanded of them against the Dockers, after Lachie Neale had faced being banned for a gut punch on Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan.
However, the two-time Brownlow Medal winner sensationally won his appeal on Thursday evening, with his punishment downgraded to a $10,000 fine.
It will likely be his last game in Lions’ colours, with 33-year-old tipped to join Collingwood from 2027.
“He’s probably one of the toughest players I’ve seen and played with. He’s left such a great legacy at the club,” Fletcher said.
“He’s got to do what’s right for him, but at the same time I’d love to still have him. As a mate and [my] mentor, I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me.”
Levi – who was drafted as an inside midfielder, before being used on the wing and in the forward line for Brisbane – declared before the verdict he was ready to take on greater duties, on grand final day and beyond.
And he vowed to help ensure Brisbane would not fall in the same manner they did when last reaching four-straight deciders – reaching just one finals series from their 2004 grand final defeat to 2019.
“I feel like I’m ready to do that and step up. As an under-ager I played more inside midfield, so to be able to play these positions, I’ve learnt heaps over the last two years,” the 19-year-old said.
“But I’m ready to go if that happens. Obviously, he’s a huge part of our team … but I feel like we’ve got a really good midfield that surrounds him.
“We’ve got some really good youth coming through, so hopefully we can continue to bring in youth and still stay young while we have some older veterans playing good footy.”
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