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Will Ashcroft,the son of Brisbane great Marcus.Credit:AFL Photos

He took it all in so by the time he was playing football in Victoria as a teenager he was the best,most prepared junior player in the competition.

Now,less than two months before he officially becomes a Lion when another club nominates him as the first pick in the draft and Brisbane match the bid,he is ready.

“Most kids dream to be the No.1 pick and if I was deserving of that spot I would be happy to take all the pressure,” Ashcroft said.

Appearing serious as he weighs up what lies ahead,he manages to smile when asked whether he carries the same nickname as his father,‘Choppers’.

“Just Ashy. I steer clear of Choppers,” Ashcroft said.

He says his dad’s influence on him this year has been exactly as he hoped,easing any pressure and supporting him to find his way.

“The good thing that he has done this year has been supportive as a father figure,not pushing me in different directions,letting me take my own path,” Ashcroft said.

Marcus Ashcroft was a triple premiership player at the Lions before becoming Gold Coast. football managerCredit:Photographic

That didn’t mean dad wasn’t happy when Ashcroftdecidedto move to Brisbane to join the Lions,signing a four-year deal before he has played a match.

The decision was tough for Ashcroft to make,but he is glad he did so and he hopes his brother Levi might join him up north in a few years time. By then most of the Lions’ supporters will,with luck,have seen what the likely No.1 pick can do,playing alongside Lachie Neale,Hugh McCluggageand potentially Josh Dunkley.

“I place some pretty high expectations on myself. I always credit back my performance to my preparation and everything that goes on behind the scenes,so if I can continue to do that I think I have an impact straight away,” Ashcroft said.

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