AFL young guns to renew rivalry

Brisbane Lions star Will Ashcroft intends to maintain his dominance over West Coast Eagles prodigy Harley Reid when the pair renew a junior rivalry in Perth on Sunday.

Ashcroft and Reid went head to head at the national under 18 championships at Marvel Stadium in 2022.

Both players’ teams were unbeaten going into the tournament-deciding contest, and it was Ashcroft’s Victoria Metro who prevailed by seven points over Reid’s Victory Country outfit.

“He was very good that day for Country,” Ashcroft said in recalling Reid’s performance.

“We just but he was very influential for their side.”

Despite the Eagles’ struggles this year, No.1 draft pick Reid has been similarly instrumental in his maiden AFL campaign.

“He’s obviously had an unreal debut season. It’ll be a challenge playing against him again,” Ashcroft said.

“I don’t watch too much footy outside of our stuff … but it’s hard not to see what he’s doing and the way he’s performing at a high level most weeks.

“Credit to everything he’s done and his performances this year.”

There was similar scrutiny on Ashcroft last year in his debut season after being drafted at No.2 as a father/son selection in the 2022 national draft.

And like Reid, Ashcroft was also a standout performer until he suffered a season-ending knee injury last July.

After 11 months out recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, the 20-year-old midfielder is set to play the third match of his comeback at Optus Stadium this weekend when the resurgent Lions chase a sixth successive win.

“I have a lot more to give and a lot more to offer,” Ashcroft said.

“It’s just about continuing to build. Being realistic, I haven’t played for 11 months or so … but I think I’ve fitted back in nicely.

“I’m pretty locked in on what’s in front of me. I don’t think about my knee at all when I’m playing.

“I’m just executing my role and doing that to the best of my ability.”

Ashcroft admitted it was tough being sidelined during Brisbane’s early-season struggles.

“It was definitely difficult. When you think you can have a contribution to the outcome, it’s tough when you’re not able to be out there and be doing that.

“I’m glad that’s behind me now and we can keep building and I can keep building.

“We’ve always had belief right the way through. As hard as it was watching on, how the guys turned up each week to review and train when we’re battling a little bit was unbelievable.

“I’m glad we’ve turned it around.”