Will and Levi Ashcroft play major roles in Brisbane's win over Gold Coast
As happy as Will Ashcroft was to win the man-of-the-match medal named after his father in Brisbane's latest QClash win over Gold Coast, the star midfielder was just as delighted about the performance of his younger brother Levi in the Lions' 17-point victory.
In the 28th match between Queensland's two AFL clubs, the Lions saluted for the 21st time, winning 9.12 (66) to 7.7 (49) at the Gabba on Sunday night.
The final scoreline flattered the Suns, who kicked the final three goals of the game in the dying stages of the fourth quarter when the contest was well and truly over.
Will was superb in Brisbane's win, collecting a game-high 34 possessions, including nine clearances, a part of the match the Lions dominated.
'They pride themselves on that (the midfield battle), and we knew it was already going to be like that, and then when the weather set in a little bit, we knew it was going to be hotly contested in clearance battle,' Will, 20, said.
'We went to work on that at training this week. The defensive side of the game and the contest, we knew that was going to be where it was won and lost.'
With an individual performance that was truly worthy of best-on-ground honours, Will said it was 'pretty cool' to win the Marcus Ashcroft Medal.
'To win it in my third QClash is a pretty cool feeling,' he said.
Another key contributor in Brisbane's win was 18-year-old Levi, who secured 29 possessions in his maiden QClash appearance.
'How Levi performed and how he's building in his (debut) season, I'm really impressed with that and proud of that,' Will said.
Will also said the Lions' bid for back-to-back premierships was showing 'promising' signs.
'Something we speak about often is constant improvement. That's something that I personally have always gone to work on around good form or poor form … always trying to be curious and find different ways and avenues to get better,' he said.
'That's what we'll continue to do. We're not satisfied. We're in a pretty good spot, but we're trying to always improve and constantly get better in the things we're already good at and things we might want to clean up.'
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During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world. @marcothejourno Marco Monteverde
