AFL clubs may not all consider Will Ashcroft the best player in of the 2022 National Draft, but AFL Media’s draft guru Cal Twomey believes he’s the “surest bet”.
Ashcroft is one of the leading chances to go at pick 1 in November's National Draft. The midfielder has nominated to go to Brisbane as a father-son selection to follow in the footsteps of dad Marcus, meaning GWS – who hold the first pick – has a decision to make.
The Giants are believed to have traded up the draft order in order to secure Aaron Cadman, a tall forward out of Vic Country who has been likened to Jeremy Cameron.
While Twomey acknowledges not all clubs will have Ashcroft at the top of the draft – despite the fact only Brisbane can draft him – he’s still got him as the best player.
“Does every club think Will Ashcroft is the best player in it? I don’t think every club will think that, there’s always a variance of views,” he told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“He’s had the most complete season a draft prospect this year, there’s no doubt about that, he’s averaged 34 disposals… at NAB League level, he’s won the Larke Medal as the best player in the Under 18 championships for Vic Metro, he was best on ground in the NAB League Grand Final.
“He had a three-vote game in the VFL playing for Brisbane’s VFL side which is so rare for a top-up player to come in and get that at his age.”
However, Twomey named multiple others who clubs could see the most potential in.
Two of Ashcroft’s teammates in George Wardlaw and Elijah Tsatas suffered injury-interrupted seasons but are widely tipped to go in the top 5 of the National Draft.
Cadman is another who could also rightly be seen as the best.
“Putting all that (Ashcroft’s positives) to one side, we haven’t seen too much of George Wardlaw this year as a midfielder. If he plays throughout the year how tight would that battle have been in an open field?” Twomey continued.
“Elijah Tsatas missed 10 or 11 weeks throughout the middle of the season as well with a foot fracture. Some of his best games… as a midfielder earlier this year, I think were among the best games we’ve sort of seen from any draftee across this season, the inside-outside midfielder, a bit taller, damaging player.
“Aaron Cadman as a key forward… his game’s a little bit different to some of the midfielders. So I don’t think every club will have Will Ashcroft as the player they think will be the best player out of the draft.”
Twomey added: “In saying that, he is the absolute surest bet because of what we’ve seen, he’ll come in and make a huge impact for Brisbane from day 1.”
If the Giants bid on Ashcroft at pick 1, it could force the Lions into a draft deficit from 2023 when they match a bid on father-son Jaspa Fletcher later in this year’s draft.
But while Twomey concedes it’s not ideal, he added it’s “not all doom and gloom” given Brisbane also brought in Josh Dunkley in the trade period.
The National Draft runs over two days on November 28 and 29.