While Will Ashcroft's starring performance in Saturday's comeback victory over GWS would be marvelled at by most, the young Lion's match-winning efforts come as no surprise to his Brisbane teammates.
Ashcroft was an integral piece in the Lions removing a 44-point deficit at Homebush to keep their season alive, with the second-year midfielder collecting 17 disposals, six clearances, 329 metres gained, eight contested possessions and six score involvements after half-time.
The outing came in Ashcroft's 29th career game and just his 11th for the year, having only returned to the field in June following an ACL injury sustained in his maiden season.
The setback put a line through Ashcroft's Rising Star prospects, with the flashy midfielder going toe-to-toe with former Sandringham Dragons teammate Harry Sheezel prior to his campaign being curtailed.
It's taken no time for Ashcroft to resume his astute midfield nous in Chris Fagan's engine room in 2024, averaging 22.27 disposals, 3.09 clearances, 3.82 inside 50s and 5.36 marks per game this year.
The 20-year-old was one of Brisbane's best in their comfortable win over Carlton to open September, but it was last weekend's herculean second-half that reminded onlookers of Ashcroft's pedigree.
When asked whether Ashcroft's performance as a player in his second AFL finals appearance came as any surprise to the playing group, fellow midfielder Hugh McCluggage said only Ashcroft could conjure the feat.
"It's remarkable for anyone but Will Ashcroft I'd say, because of the work he puts in and what we see him do behind the scenes," McCluggage said on Wednesday.
"He worked as hard as anyone through that time when he was in rehab. It's not just the physical side of the game, it's the mental side as well.
"In a final, people can tighten up, and as an older player you can probably be thinking a little bit about the result and what's on the line. He just played with freedom.
"He was so strong, he willed himself into the contest in that second half. We're pretty glad we've got him in our side that's for sure.
"It's not necessarily the amount of touches he's been having. The week before against Carlton he had a really impactful game as well. He might've had 20 touches, but probably half of them led to a score and the rest were really clean.
"We've worked really hard with 'Ashy' on his voice out there, communication and defence. All that stuff is lifting and it's no surprise he's having a good offensive impact off the back of that."
While Ashcroft was the leading man through the middle to help steer the Lions to a famous win, Fagan won't be altering his midfield plans for this week's preliminary final against Geelong.
With top line ball-winners in Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and McCluggage also rolling through midfield, the Lions won't be adjusting a game plan to suit Ashcroft "off the back of one game".
"He's only in his second year, so he's going to have an impact when we manage those minutes. We've been getting him in [midfield] quite a bit," McCluggage added.
"He probably hasn't started there at the start of quarters, but we'll keep mixing up who we've got in there.
"He's also had an impact for us forward, so we'll just see what the coaches want. We've had a good mix of players running through [midfield] throughout the year and that's not going to change off the back of one game."
The Lions head to the MCG this weekend to face Geelong on Saturday at the MCG, with a win booking them a spot in a second straight grand final - with either Sydney or Port Adelaide waiting.
