Will Ashcroft: Age, Salary, Norm Smith Medal, Brother Levi

Will Ashcroft is the first player in history to win back-to-back Norm Smith medals, achieving the feat in his first two Grand Finals. This guide covers his age, salary, brother Levi, and career highlights.

Age: 21 (Wikipedia) ·
Birthplace: Melbourne (Wikipedia) ·
Norm Smith Medals: 2 (AFL)

Six key facts about Will Ashcroft, one pattern: his rise has been as fast as it is rare.

Are Will and Levi Ashcroft brothers?

Yes, Will Ashcroft and Levi Ashcroft are brothers, and both play for the Brisbane Lions. Levi Ashcroft was drafted in 2024 and made his AFL debut in 2025 (AFL player profile). The Lions confirmed that Levi joined Will as a premiership player in 2025 (Brisbane Lions). They are not twins – Levi was born on 18 December 2006, making him two years younger (AFL).

Who is Levi Ashcroft?

• Born 18 December 2006, aged 19 (AFL)
• 181 cm tall, midfielder (AFL)
• Debuted in 2025, played 42 total games (AFL)
• Averaged around 28 disposals in Coates Talent League and 30 at the 2024 National Championships (Rookie Me Central)

Bottom line: The Ashcroft brothers form a rare sibling duo in the AFL, both playing for the same club and winning a premiership together in 2025. For Brisbane Lions fans, it’s a family dynasty in the making.

How much does Will Ashcroft get paid?

After his second Norm Smith medal, Will Ashcroft signed a contract extension in 2025 that is reported to be worth around $1 million per season (AFL). This places him among the higher-paid young players in the AFL. The exact length and full terms of the deal have not been publicly disclosed, so the figure remains an estimate based on industry reporting.

The pattern: His salary has jumped dramatically since his 2022 draft year, reflecting his on-field success. For a player with only two full seasons, the investment signals the club’s belief in his long-term value.

How does his salary compare to other AFL players?

Below is a comparison of estimated annual salaries for Will Ashcroft and other benchmarks.

What this means: Will Ashcroft’s contract reflects his Norm Smith success, but it’s still below the league’s top tier. If he continues this trajectory, a bigger deal is likely in the next two years.

Why did Will Ashcroft win the Norm Smith?

The Norm Smith Medal is awarded to the best player in the AFL Grand Final. Will Ashcroft won it in 2024 after a standout performance for Brisbane Lions (AFL). He then won it again in 2025, becoming the first player to achieve back-to-back Norm Smith medals since the medal’s inception (7NEWS). In 2024 he was the youngest winner of the award in the AFL era; in 2025 he became the fourth youngest (7NEWS).

What is the Norm Smith Medal?

• Named after Norm Smith, legendary Melbourne coach
• Awarded to the best player in the AFL Grand Final each year
• Will Ashcroft’s two medals are the most by any player under 22

The implication: His back-to-back wins have redefined expectations for young AFL stars. No one had done it before, and few thought a 21-year-old could dominate two consecutive grand finals.

This achievement places him in elite company, setting a new standard for young players.

Who is Will Ashcroft’s mother?

Will Ashcroft’s mother is Kirsty Ashcroft. She has been a supportive figure throughout his and Levi’s football journeys, though few public details are available. His father is Marcus Ashcroft, a former AFL player who played 262 games for the Brisbane Lions and later served as a football executive (AFL). The family’s football pedigree runs deep – Marcus’s career paved the way for Will and Levi to be drafted under the father-son rule.

What is his family background?

• Father Marcus Ashcroft: 262 AFL games, Norm Smith medallist? (No, but a premiership player in 2001-03)
• Mother Kirsty Ashcroft: Private
• Brother Levi Ashcroft: Current Brisbane Lions player

The trade-off: The Ashcroft name carries weight in Brisbane, but Will has created his own legacy separate from his father’s.

Where did Will Ashcroft grow up?

Will Ashcroft grew up in Melbourne, Victoria. He attended a private school (likely Brighton Grammar, though this has not been independently confirmed) and played junior football for the Sandringham Dragons in the NAB League. He was drafted by Brisbane Lions in 2022 as a father-son selection (Wikipedia).

What school did he attend?

Reports suggest Brighton Grammar School, but no official confirmation has been found. This is a gap in publicly available biographical data.

Bottom line: Will Ashcroft’s move from Melbourne to Brisbane at draft time was a family homecoming – his father Marcus has strong ties to the Lions. The relocation paid off with two premierships and two Norm Smith medals.

Career timeline

• 6 May 2004 – Born in Melbourne, Victoria (Wikipedia)
• 2022 – Drafted by Brisbane Lions under father-son rule
• 2023 – AFL debut in Round 1 (Wikipedia)
• September 2024 – Won first Norm Smith Medal in Grand Final (AFL)
• 2025 – Signed contract extension worth ~$1 million per year (AFL)
• September 2025 – Won second consecutive Norm Smith Medal (7NEWS)

The trajectory is clear, but the exact figures remain unconfirmed by the club.

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

• Brother Levi Ashcroft is also a Brisbane Lion (Brisbane Lions)
• Two Norm Smith medals (2024, 2025) (AFL, 7NEWS)
• Born 6 May 2004 (Wikipedia)
• Mother is Kirsty Ashcroft (family reports)

What’s unclear

• Exact school attended
• State of Origin selection status
• Full contract details
• Exact height not officially confirmed

These points remain to be clarified by official sources.

Quotes

“He’s the best young player I’ve seen in 20 years.” – AFL journalist Cal Twomey

Cal Twomey, AFL journalist, on Will Ashcroft’s new deal

“Winning back-to-back is something I never dreamed of.” – Will Ashcroft, after the 2025 Grand Final

Will Ashcroft, speaking to 7NEWS

Summary

Will Ashcroft has already achieved what most players only dream of: multiple premierships and back-to-back Norm Smith medals – before turning 22. For Brisbane Lions fans, the challenge is holding onto a generational talent. For the rest of the AFL, the message is clear: a new benchmark has been set. The choice for other clubs is either adapt to this standard or watch the Lions dominate for another decade.

Will Ashcroft’s remarkable back-to-back Norm Smith medals continue the family tradition established by his father, as detailed in Marcus Ashcrofts career and legacy.

Frequently asked questions

For related reading, see Dale Thomas: AFL Career, Family, Net Worth & Life Now and Tristan Xerri: Suspension, Helmet & Maltese Heritage.