Up the Grades: Ashcroft’s Lions debut a roaring success

BRISBANE Lions father-son candidate Will Ashcroft made his VFL debut this past weekend, and the top-age talent was ultra impressive. Son of triple premiership Lion, Marcus, Ashcroft is set to make his nomination call later this year but currently lives and goes to university in Melbourne, while playing for the Sandringham Dragons.

Freed up amid the current NAB League recess, Ashcroft racked up 24 disposals and laid nine tackles in midfield as the Lions downed the Sydney Swans reserves by 59 points. For the hosting Swans, Academy products Angus Anderson and William Edwards both turned out in the loss.

Elsewhere in the VFL, a few other Northern Academy talents earned state league experience. Gold Coast blooded a strong bunch, headlined by Jye Lockett – the nephew of champion goalkicker Tony – and key forward Will Bella. The latter snared a goal, while Malachi Dumas and Finn Brown also took the field as the Suns beat Werribee by two points.

Ashcroft’s Sandringham teammate Lachlan Benton also earned a state league berth, taking his opportunity with GWS nicely. The midfielder-forward ticked up to 21 touches and booted a goal on debut as his Giants beat the Northern Bullants by 100 points.

One of the few top-agers to crack the grade this week was Calder Cannons standout Paul Pascu, who donned the sash in Essendon’s clash with Footscray. GWV Rebels over-ager Jamieson Ballantyne turned out for the Bulldogs, while Eastern Ranges utility Tyreece Leiu got a gig with Carlton’s twos in a victory over North Melbourne. He managed eight disposals.

Around the nation, only a couple of leading prospects made the cut in their state league top flights. South Australian key forward Harry Lemmey got back into the swing of things with West Adelaide’s League side, but had just two disposals, while West Australian gun Elijah Hewett had 14 touches as Swan Districts downed Perth in a thriller. We’ll have a Player Focus piece on Hewett’s performance later tonight.

A pair of promising Croweaters round out those who climbed the grades this weekend. Lemmey’s fellow Westies product Kobe Ryan was prolific (27 disposals, one goal) in his Reserves debut, while Adelaide father-son candidate Max Michalanney clunked four marks from 17 touches in Norwood’s twos.

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