BRISBANE midfielder Will Ashcroft entered the game with premiership glory in his genes and on Saturday became the youngest Norm Smith medallist of the AFL era when he won the famous medal as a 20-year-old.

The clean and skilful midfielder produced a remarkable performance on the biggest stage to turbo-charge his career and legacy as a young star just 13 games since returning from an ACL injury. 

Ashcroft, who was supreme in the midfield with 30 disposals, five clearances and six inside 50s, was awarded the medal with 14 votes, ahead of co-captain Lachie Neale (eight), with Callum Ah Chee (seven) and Kai Lohmann (one) also receiving votes.

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The signature moment of his performance came halfway through the third quarter as he hit the ball at pace from a stoppage inside 50 and snapped a goal on his right foot, highlighting the skill he entered the AFL with and has taken all the way to the big stage.

That highlight was paired with effectiveness and creativity with his disposals and outstanding consistency, winning the ball across the game to be a constant factor in the Lions' midfield domination.

After being announced as the youngest Norm Smith medallist since Carlton's inaugural winner Wayne Harmes in 1979, the young midfielder reflected on his ability to fight back from adversity and be a key part of this year's premiership.

"To even get here is unbelievable, and to win it with my brothers, I can't put it into words," Ashcroft said.

"As tough as it was to miss [the Grand Final] last year, I set myself for this year and I set myself for the back end of the year and this finals series. That's all I want to do, win premierships with this great club.  

"We timed it well and I'm grateful to be back playing some good footy now."

Asked how it felt to emulate his father Marcus, who won three premierships as a member of Brisbane's feared team between 2001-03, Ashcroft said: "They had so much success back then and we just wanted to get one. Now we're hunting more. It's an unbelievable feeling to win one after he was part of the last one."

Saturday's performance capped a stunning and dramatic introduction to the AFL for Ashcroft, who emerged as arguably the player of the finals given the strength of his performances against Carlton, Greater Western Sydney and Geelong in successive wins.

Recruited as a much-hyped father-son with pick No.2 in the 2022 Draft, he was told by his father to simply play his way and stay composed in the big moments, knowing it would stack up on the biggest stage.

"Everyone talks about him not being overawed and being realty composed, and that's just him," Marcus said.

"We're super proud of him for getting through that and the adversity he has been through will set him up really well.

"I won my first premiership at 30 and he's won his first at 20, so he's very lucky and very fortunate to be at a great club."

Will's proud mother Bekky said Saturday's triumph was a testament to the way her son had prepared himself every day through both his recovery and once he was able to play again, allowing him to fulfil a lifelong dream.

The family spent time on Saturday evening reflecting on the shattering experience of watching Collingwood receive their premiership medals 12 months ago.

"It's quite amazing that it turned around that quickly in 12 months, but he was a very determined young man who, come hell or high water, was going to do his very best to help his side lift the premiership cup," Bekky said.

"To be able to get best on ground was really just a bonus.

"He gives 100 per cent in everything he does. It doesn't always work out and you don't always get rewarded, but today it all came together and we couldn't be prouder."

While Ashcroft was the youngest Norm Smith medallist of the AFL era, his brother Levi is also an early achiever in the Ashcroft household.

A junior midfield star and projected top-end pick himself, Levi celebrated as a fan and brother on Saturday night but will be a teammate come November when he joins the Lions as a father-son pick in the Draft. 

"I think Levi is probably the youngest person to walk because Will wanted him to kick the footy with him, then his sister as well," Bekky said.

"He used to run around the house at two years of age commentating himself kicking the footy and umpiring."

Teammate Jaspa Fletcher, who joined the Lions with Ashcroft at the end of 2022, was like a proud brother in the rooms on Saturday evening, reflecting on how they had helped each other through the past two years.

The pair lived together through their first season and were quick to find each other when the siren sounded to embrace and later get a photo with the Premiership Cup.

"I was pretty emotional when he did his ACL, to lose my best mate out there, but to see how determined he was and how hard he worked, I'm just so proud of him," Fletcher said. 

"Everyone knows how determined he is, but it's also how fun he can be. Like every good player, he has the right balance and he does that very well.

"I don't think he's ever had two bad games in a row. If he has one that isn't up to his standards, he always bounces back.

"He built so well in this finals series and, as a mate and a teammate, I was just so proud when I heard his name called out."

Norm Smith votes

14 – Will Ashcroft, Brisbane Lions – 33332
8 – Lachie Neale, Brisbane Lions – 3221
7 – Callum Ah Chee, Brisbane Lions – 22111
1 – Kai Lohmann, Brisbane Lions – 1

Judges votes (3, 2, 1):

Jack Riewoldt (Chair) – Will Ashcroft, Callum Ah Chee, Lachie Neale
Riley Beveridge (AFL.com.au) – Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft, Callum Ah Chee
Shaun Burgoyne (Channel Seven) Will Ashcroft, Lachie Neale, Callum Ah Chee
Anna Harrington (AAP) – Will Ashcroft, Lachie Neale, Callum Ah Chee
Rory Sloane (2024 retiring great, Adelaide) Will Ashcroft, Callum Ah Chee, Kai Lohmann