Ash: Sydney do play a different style of game, chipping the ball around. They use the wings a lot and are very good kicks. They keep hold of the ball and wait for an opportunity to get the ball to another bloke in the open. It can be frustrating to play at times, but if we can run and break away from them whenever we get the chance, we can turn the game around pretty quickly.
Q: Hey Ash. Being a true blue maroon, I follow the Lions, Broncs and Reds and love to watch us beat the Mexicans. Do you catch up with any guys from the other codes? – Derrick from Redcliffe, Qld
Ash: We pretty well keep to ourselves. We’ve seen a few of the Broncos at the Normanby on a few occasions and we always say hello, but both lots of boys pretty well keep to their own groups.
Q: Hi Ashley. I just wanted to know how did you find playing in the reserves on the weekend and do you mind playing there? – Jackie from Capalaba, Qld
Ash: I’m always comfortable playing with the Suncoast Lions because I know it is something that has to be done to get me back into the seniors. I’ve missed a lot of training since Christmas and need to get the runs under my belt. I don’t mind the responsibility of showing the way a bit to the young blokes in the team as well. We’ve got a good crop of young kids coming through, so a few more of our supporters should get on down to the Gabba early to check them out.
Q: Hey Ash. I was out at Coorparoo to watch the reserves play before Easter and saw young were the runner. Is it an easy job? – Crystal from Logan, Qld
Ash: I reckon the last time I was a runner was when I was playing colts (under 19s) at South Fremantle after I broke my arm. There was one part of our game against Mt Gravatt where CJ (Chrissy Johnson was coach for the night) got the changes mixed up. He asked me to bring Joel Tippett off and I couldn’t find him because he was sitting on the bench. So I just grabbed the tallest bloke I could find. I think the poor kid had only just got out there, so I felt pretty bad about that. I’m just glad it was CJ who was coaching and not Gonz (Craig Brittain). I reckon I would have been banished to an early shower if he was.
Q: Hey Ash. I’m a proud West Aussie and I’m bitterly disappointed with the AFL putting on this dream game instead of playing proper State of Origin. What do you reckon? Ron from Lynwood, WA
Ash: I grew up on State of Origin and loved watching the Vics play WA and SA. I’d like to see it come back some time and have the Allies in there as well. I’d love to get the chance to play for WA, but I’m lucky because the Aboriginal boys like myself get to play in the All-Star game every couple of years. It’s the same kind of feeling as playing Origin I would imagine. You get to go out there and show some flair and the coaches encourage you to go out and enjoy the whole experience. There’s a really good feeling among the Aboriginal boys in the league and we always catch up with each other in the huddle after our games each week to see how each other are doing.
