Fourteen months after Will Ashcroft's debut season was cruelled by a knee reconstruction, the 20-year-old has claimed the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in the grand final.
Making his debut on the last day in September, Ashcroft's poise and class was capped by an outstanding snapped goal in the third quarter as the Brisbane Lions ran rampant.
He racked up 30 possessions and five clearances to poll 14 out of a possible 15 votes, ahead of Lions co-captain Lachie Neale on eight, Callum Ah Chee on seven and Kai Lohmann with one.
Ashcroft out of traffic ⭐️— AFL (@AFL) #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/11IYbh7SInSeptember 28, 2024
Marcus was a part of the Brisbane dynasty that won the 2001-03 three-peat, the club's most recent premierships before Saturday.
"I won my first flag when I was 30. He's only 20, so he has 10 years on his side," Marcus said in the Lions rooms.
Bekky was also full of pride in what their eldest son has achieved in only his second AFL season.
"Well, you can get caught up in the moment right now. The kid, 20 years old, coming back from an ACL, to do what he just did on grand final day, it's pretty unreal," she said.
"Marcus would be the first one to say I think the kid might have him."
The Lions recruited Marcus as a father-son pick and their middle son Levi will also join them next season.
Youngest sibling Lucy, 15, is also a state-level footballer and netballer. She and Levi were also in the crowd on Saturday.
Marcus was in the MCG stands a year ago when Brisbane lost the epic grand final to Collingwood. That hardened his resolve to make successful AFL comeback.
"When we lost on this day last year, I've been thinking about it since then," he said.
"I'm not sure if I've surprised myself ... I've set myself for this.
"This is what I've always wanted to do, follow behind what my dad did and perform on the big stage.
"My whole rehab was set up that way in my mind. Obviously to make it here and do it is another thing - I can't quite believe that - but I always had the belief I could come in, whenever that was ... and build to this moment."
Coach Chris Fagan said he could not take any credit for Ashcroft's success, putting it all down to the new star's hard work and mindset.
"Today was the culmination of all that hard work," Fagan added.
Ashcroft went down with his season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury in round 19 last season and returned this year in round 17.
After a scratchy few games, he steadily built his form and shone in the finals.
The 20-year-old is the youngest Norm Smith medallist since Carlton's Wayne Harmes was crowned the inaugural winner at age 19 in 1979.
Lions midfielder Lachie Neale looks for attacking options against Sydney. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
Several Lions had staked claims for best afield, with Neale racking a game-high 34 possessions and nine clearances.
Harris Andrews was also mighty, again performing his role to perfection with intercept marks across half-back, while Ah Chee kicked four goals.
Lohmann lit up the game with three goals in the first half, also finishing with four.
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