Impressive pre-season has Brisbane’s Levi Ashcroft on the verge of making his AFL debut in season opener

Father-son draft pick Levi Ashcroft’s football “craft and smarts” have never been doubted, but it’s the improvement in his defensive work that could clinch his spot in Brisbane’s 23 for the Lions’ season-opening clash against Geelong at the Gabba on Thursday night. Ashcroft – the 18-year-old son of former Lions premiership winner Marcus and brother of current Lions star Will – has recovered from off-season shoulder injury to impress during the pre-season and be on the verge of an AFL debut this week. “He’s so good around the ball,” Lions star Josh Dunkley said of Levi, the No.5 pick in last year’s national draft. “His craft and footy smarts is incredible. Obviously being a high draft pick, you know he’s going to bring that, so it’s just been educating him probably on the other side of the ball. “He’s been really buying into that, the defensive stuff, so the way that he played last week (in a trial against Adelaide) was probably a good picture of what he’s learnt over the pre-season. “We’re excited about what he can bring to our team this year and into the future as well.” Dunkley has also been impressed with the younger Ashcroft not being shy to seek advice. “I talk to him nearly every day about little things, He’s been really good and pro-active about coming up to me and asking me questions,” he said. “There’s no hierarchy here. It’s all about helping each other out and getting the best out of each other.” Breaking into a premiership-winning line-up is never easy, but Levi is expected to have done enough to at the very least be the Lions’ substitute on Thursday night should the game not be postponed due to Cyclone Alfred. Of the 23 that played for Brisbane’s in last year’s grand-final win over Sydney, certain absentees are the retired Joe Daniher, defender Brandon Starcevich (concussion protocols) and ruckman Darcy Fort (hamstring injury). Levi Ashcroft and Oscar McInerney are set to be two of the replacements, while Sam Day and Ty Gallop are the leading candidates to fill the void left by Daniher. Not that any Brisbane players are taking their spots for granted. “That is something that we’ve leant from the history of the game,” Dunkley said. “A lot of times you can get a bit complacent. If you think all of a sudden ‘I’m a premiership player’, and you come in and you’re not doing something that you did previously, then the boys will catch up to you straight away. “That’s why it has been really good this year. A lot of competition for spots has been very healthy for us as a group. “It’s going to be tough for spots. I’m glad I’m not a coach, but I’m sure they’ll pick the best 23 that are available and fit and ready to go for Thursday night. “The team chemistry is going to be the priority.”