The crucial cogs of AFL's Round 10: Which players need to be the difference makers?
Bayley Fritsch should become an even more important player from a structural perspective, given key forward Jacob van Rooyen will be unavailable due to concussion.
Will Ashcroft is set for a long stint on the sidelines after scans confirmed the Brisbane Lions young gun sustained a serious knee injury during his AFL side’s win over Geelong.
Ashcroft, this season’s Rising Star favourite, clutched at his right knee during the final quarter of Saturday’s contest at the Gabba and limped off the field.
Scans have since confirmed Ashcroft ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
“We are all hurting for Will because you never want to see any player experience a serious injury, especially a player in their first season,” Lions football boss Danny Daly said.
“Will is super professional in everything he does, so we know he will do everything he can to recover from this.
“Our main priority is for everyone at the club to wrap their arms around Will and do everything we can to support him and his family.”
Ashcroft’s injury took the gloss off Brisbane’s 9.10 (64) to 7.11 (53) win over Geelong, which kept their hopes of a top-two finish alive.
“It’s dampened my mood … I don’t like to see that for any player at any club, anytime,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said post-match.
Ashcroft, the son of Brisbane premiership great Marcus Ashcroft, has played all 18 matches so far in his debut season.
The 19-year-old, who averages 22 disposals a game, could still win the Rising Star and is among the contenders for goal-of-the-year after a stunning effort against Fremantle in April.
© AAP
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Bayley Fritsch should become an even more important player from a structural perspective, given key forward Jacob van Rooyen will be unavailable due to concussion.
Tom Hawkins returns to familiar surroundings of Geelong - but is it the tonic he needs to regain some of his confidence back after a goalless four games.
Following in the lead of competitions like the NRL, NFL and NBA, the Australian Football League is considering introducing a radical plan to present…
Jeremy Finlayson should be a welcome addition to the Port Adelaide forward line after kicking four goals in the SANFL last week.
Brisbane's players will take inspiration from the stoicism of Lincoln McCarthy and Darcy Gardiner as they faced their season-ending knee injuries. The Lions confirmed…
Last, year in the second showdown, Adelaide destroyed Port by 47 points with a staggering 20 marks inside 50 with Tex Walker the main star.