AFL FANS may be feeling a sense of déjà vu, as for the second year running, a dominant father-son gun leads the race to be taken first at the National Draft. Taking a similar road to eventual 2021 pick four Nick Daicos, soon-to-be Brisbane Lions midfielder Will Ashcroft is only firming as the best player in the country.

Like his Collingwood counterpart, Ashcroft acknowledged the pitches of rival clubs before officially committing to his father’s former team, signing a two-year extension on top of his initial contract of the same length. The pair also have brothers in the system, with Nick following elder sibling Josh to the Magpies, while Will hopes younger brother Levi will join him at the elite level in 2024.

The similarities hardly stop there, and as standouts among their respective crops, their stories are bound to intertwine further along the journey. In a one-off analytical piece, Rookie Me Central compares and contrasts the key facets which see both players held in such high regard.

STATS

DAICOS:

2021 NAB League: 5 games | 35.8 disposals | 22.2 kicks | 13.6 handballs | 5.8 marks | 3.4 tackles | 5.4 inside 50s | 2.0 goals (10 total)

2022 AFL: 25 games | 25.8 disposals | 14.4 kicks | 11.3 handballs | 4.1 marks | 2.2 tackles | 4.1 rebound 50s | 0.3 goals (7 total)

ASHCROFT:

2022 NAB League: 13 games | 34.2 disposals | 15.7 kicks | 18.5 handballs | 3.3 marks | 4.9 tackles | 7.1 inside 50s | 0.5 goals (6 total)

2022 VFL: 3 games | 29.3 disposals | 13.7 kicks | 15.7 handballs | 3.3 marks | 7.3 tackles | 0.7 goals (2 total)

CONSISTENCY

As the numbers above suggest, these two are ball magnets in every sense of the word. In a larger sample size, Ashcroft has just about matched Daicos’ output as a junior and both quickly translated their games at senior level. Both would have arguably played in the AFL had they been eligible as top-agers, such is their sheer dominance.

They hardly waver in form either. It is rare to see either player bogged down for extended periods in games, let alone having a bad one altogether. In the NAB League, Daicos’ disposal tallies sat between 28 and 44, while Ashcroft managed a high of 52 and aside from a Round 1 low of 18, has not since dropped below 27.

That kind of form also translates to big games. While Daicos was tested by a tag in Collingwood’s preliminary final exit, he dealt with the pressure while representing Vic Metro, ticking over 40 touches. Ashcroft has been similarly brilliant in the Big V, and recently earned best afield honours in the NAB League Grand Final.

LEADERSHIP

The drive of these two individuals made them obvious choices to captain their NAB League regions, with that honour extending to the AFL Academy and Vic Metro between them. They’re the types who lead by example and galvanise their teammates through sheer work rate. Speak to anyone who took the field with Daicos and Ashcroft over the last two years, and they are often awed by their talent.

Daicos was often quoted last year as wanting to bring his teammates into the game, and certainly did that in the way he played. Ashcroft takes a similar approach, but if one thing is for sure, both men have a ravenous appetite for disposals and want to be the ones with the ball in their hand. They demand high standards of themselves both on and off the field, and expect the same of their peers.

FOOTBALL IQ / ACCUMULATION

It is no surprise that both Daicos and Ashcroft find so much of the ball, especially when you consider how high their football IQ is. Especially in the case of Daicos, each disposal sets up the next, and both players have the skill to execute one disposal before relying on their teammates to feed them another.

That kind of ability sees them dominate games, taking over long periods with their sense of occasion and seeming experience beyond their years. Their accumulation of possession is also down to their respective endurance bases. Such consistent ball winning would not be possible without it.

What’s even more impressive about their games is the fact neither player is overly quick. Neither are left behind, but pace is not a standout strength of either player despite how often they seem to stream into space with a clean set of heels. They don’t rely on physical traits to dominate, as others may.

SKILLS

Given the manner in which both players rack up possessions, it would be easy to put them down to being nothing more than accumulators. Last year, nitpickers questioned whether many of Daicos’ possessions were cheap and void of damage, and the same assessment is being put on Ashcroft.

Looking at how Daicos has transitioned to the elite level, his skills and decision making have proven more than just up to the task. Not only has he continued to find the ball in spades, but his poise in tight spots and ability to execute the right kicks under pressure have been truly tremendous traits.

Ashcroft plays a different style, arguably more proficient by hand. Both players lean on their running capacity to work into good positions and demand the ball back from teammates, but Ashcroft does it more often when coming away from stoppage and linking with high class chains of handballs.

Ever the improver, he has also worked on his kicking across the year, and at times, pulls off incredible passes heading inside 50. Watch his second game against Oakleigh for evidence. Together, both players hardly make a mistake, handle the ball cleanly, and are also skilled mentally.

CONTESTED BALL

Now time for some more contrasts. As alluded to, Ashcroft is arguably the better contested ball winner of the pair, with much of his play starting at the source. While Daicos has a slight height edge, Ashcroft is a touch stronger at the contest and wins more ball from stoppage to stoppage, whereas Daicos’ dominance comes from linking up in general play.

This factor is evidenced by their respective kick-to-handball ratios. While his ratio has evened out at AFL level, despite taking on kick-in duties, Daicos tends to favour his feet while Ashcroft is a prolific handballer, especially when digging the ball out at stoppage, and eventually streaming away with it.

Further to the point, Ashcroft laid far more tackles and took less marks than Daicos across his NAB League career, suiting the suggestion that he has more impact on-ball, but Daicos collects his rewards around the ground – though he is no stoppage slouch.

VERSATILITY

This is another key point of difference which arguably leans in Daicos’ favour. The much-loved Magpie has slotted into Collingwood’s half-back line with ease this season, despite spending most of his top-age campaign as a midfielder. He also featured behind the ball in Year 10 at Carey Grammar, but has the nous to hit the scoreboard when rested forward – as he did in Round 1 last year having suffered a corkie.

While not incapable of finding the goals or shifting to a flank, Ashcroft arguably has more of a home at the centre bounces where his pure midfield craft shines. Like current Brisbane star Lachie Neale, he can run out games on-ball and is just so comfortable at stoppages, that there is hardly a need for him to play elsewhere. He could do it though, let’s be honest.

COMPETITORS

With top prospect is someone trailing closely at number two. Given he ended up sliding to pick four, Daicos was arguably better tested by a strong top-end, as Ashcroft seems to be steaming clear atop this year’s rankings.

Last year, debate roared over whether Jason Horne-Francis was more deserving of top spot. The South Australian had played League football for South Adelaide and hard the hurt factor to test the accumulative style of Daicos, not to mention he had been tested over a larger sample size. 15 of his touches were said to be better or equal to 30 from Daicos.

With a Rising Star nod in tow, Daicos takes the lead upon stepping up to the AFL. It seems with main competitor George Wardlaw having played so few games in 2022 with hamstring troubles, Ashcroft is clearly this year’s number one. The father-son factor may again come into play come draft time, but very few (if any) players have matched Ashcroft’s output.

>> The race to be number one: 2021 edition | 2022 edition

VERDICT

Talk about splitting hairs. The eerily similar paths these two are treading extends beyond the playing field. They are both father-sons, made their NAB League debuts as top-agers in the Round 1 Oakleigh-Sandringham showdown, have brothers in the same pathway, and most importantly, are regarded as the best players in their respective draft pools.

There is little doubt that Ashcroft will be able to adapt his game to the top level as Daicos has, albeit if the pair offer different traits. Both run out games strongly, are top leaders and boast elite football IQ, but Ashcroft separates himself with stronger contested work and handball chains, while Daicos is the classy kicker who can play in each third.

It’s going to be a lot of fun watching these two pave their way in the AFL for many years to come, particularly for Collingwood and Brisbane fans. While many a debate like this will surely continue throughout that time, it is clear they are both incredibly gifted footballers with the work ethic to match. Enjoy the show.