Things we learnt: Ashcroft brothers continue to impress

There was thunder and there was lightning, but it was the Ashcroft brothers who were most frightening on Friday night as the Lions defeated the Western Bulldogs by 10 points.

Not since the Scott brothers during the three-peat years have the Lions seen a more impactful set of siblings take the stage on the Gabba in maroon, blue and gold, with both Will and Levi Ashcroft playing important roles in Brisbane’s win.

With Zac Bailey out of the side due to his one-match suspension, Levi would be the one to fill his spot on the wing, with Ashcroft making his first start on the field since Round 9.

Despite having played as an inside midfielder throughout his junior career, the younger Ashcroft has spent most of his fledgling AFL career on the wing.

However, despite the initially unfamiliar positioning, he has shown why coach Chris Fagan has played him in every game this season.

His work rate was evident throughout the match, managing to collate 18 disposals (at an 88.9% efficiency rate) with the majority of those coming from Brisbane’s defensive half. He would also contribute six score involvements, which saw him kick two goals for the match (a career high).

As for Will, the 2024 Norm Smith Medallist had a best on ground performance off the bench, achieving a game-high 21.5 ranking points according to Champion Data. That ranking would be his third highest in his 49-game career.

This was done by amassing 26 disposals, five clearances (from only 11 centre bounce attendances) and also booted a career high of three goals, which included one right on the final siren to all but secure the four points for the Lions.

It speaks to the quality of depth that this Brisbane side possesses that, for the majority of the season, these two father-son selections (who were both picked in the top five of their respective draft classes) have often started on the bench and still have an impact on the result.

While the Lions will sit in second place for the remainder of Round 19, it will be a tough run home with finals-contending teams in the Suns, Magpies, Dockers, and Hawks left to play.

But come out of those matches unscathed and a home qualifying final awaits.

Nicholas Quinlan

The Package looks primed to deliver

Jake Stringer looked very sharp for GWS on Thursday night.

While it may have been an extremely undermanned Essendon lineup, the 31-year-old appeared in very good touch against his old club.

He’s been made to do the work by coach Adam Kingsley and it’s now bearing fruit. In the 48-point win at Marvel Stadium, Stringer kicked 3.1 from 18 disposals including 11 contested possessions.

Stringer also produced eight score involvements and provided two goal assists. So, that’s eight goals (five behinds), 22 score involvements and four goal assists in his last three since the bye including four majors against Geelong.

His creativity in attack has never been an issue and after a stop-start beginning to his first season with GWS those crafty skills are being honed and sharpened. His pressure work was also impressive, highlighted by Kingsley in his post-match presser.

“When we decided to bring him across, this is what we had in mind,” Kingsley said.

“He’s going to contribute to our game both on offence and on defence, he’s going to be able to kick goals for us, but he’s going to create goals.

“We’ve been really pleased with him. His intent to chase, tackle, pressure feels like it’s at a really good level.”

Continuity is helping Stringer find his feet in orange and his presence in the Giants’ forward line could be crucial come September - once they get there of course.

Stringer has been a big-game player in the past - well, at the very least a ‘big moments’ player - and he’d be absolutely intent on having his say in some big finals.

He has played in just two Elimination Finals since winning the flag with the Doggies in 2016. His losing finals appearances for the Bombers came in 2019 and 2021 and were largely underwhelming.

The Giants recruited ‘The Package’ to take them to the next level and it looks like he’s primed to contribute greatly in a multi-dimensional forward line that’s starting to hum.

Andrew Slevison