Will Ashcroft has once again been crowned the Norm Smith Medallist for best on-ground in the AFL grand final.

Off the back of his success in 2024 and now 2025, Ashcroft now joins an elite group of AFL players to claim back-to-back Norm Smith Medals – Andrew McLeod and Dustin Martin.

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After taking a moment to compose himself on the podium, the 21-year-old father-son prodigy sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition.

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“To the boys, we keep turning up, we keep battling through adversity,” he said.

“Can’t wait to enjoy tonight, next week and then we get back to work and go again next year.”

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Saturday’s medal was presented by two-time Norm Smith winner Luke Hodge (2008 and 2014) – a four-time premiership Hawk, and a former Lion.

Hodge was one of only four players to ever win the prestigious honour more than once. That elite group now extends to five with Ashcroft – and he’s the youngest in history to ever do it back-to-back (aged 21 years and 144), eclipsing’s McLeod’s efforts of 22 years and 53 days.

Will Ashcroft celebrates his grand final goal.Source: Getty Images

The young Lion finished with 2025 grand final with 32 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal.

“He’s building an unbelievable resume,” teammate Charlie Cameron praised.

“Two-time Norm Smith is pretty crazy. Back-to-back in a premiership year – it’s unreal.”

The 2025 Norm Smith Medal was determined by judges Andrew McLeod (chair), Luke Hodge, Kate McCarthy, Jack Riewoldt and Adam Simpson.

And it’s named in honour of Norm Smith who claimed a remarkable 10 premierships – four as a VFL player and six as coach for Melbourne.

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NORM SMITH MEDAL FINAL TALLY

Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions) – 13 votes (3,3,3,2,2)

Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions) – 6 votes (3,2,1)

Zac Bailey (Brisbane Lions) – 5 votes (2,1,1,1)

Jaspa Fletcher (Brisbane Lions) – 3 votes (3)

Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) – 2 votes (2)

Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions) – 1 vote (1)

Judges voting (3,2,1)

Andrew McLeod (Chair): – W.Ashcroft, Z.Bailey, H.Andrews

Luke Hodge, Channel 7: – J.Fletcher, W.Ashcroft, H.McCluggage

Kate McCarthy, Triple M: – H.Andrews, W.Ashcroft, Z.Bailey

Jack Riewoldt, Fox Footy: – W.Ashcroft, H.Andrews, Z.Bailey

Adam Simpson, SEN: – W.Ashcroft, D.Zorko, Z.Bailey

NORM SMITH MEDAL STATS

-Geelong’s Paul Chapman is the only player to win a Norm Smith on a countback, after he and Saint Jason Gram tied with nine votes apiece in 2009.

-Only four players have received the award as members of a losing team: Maurice Rioli in 1982, Gary Ablett Sr. in 1989, Nathan Buckley in 2002, and Chris Judd in 2005.

-Geelong have five Norm Smith Medallists already (Gary Ablett Sr. – 1989, Steve Johnson – 2007, Paul Chapman – 2009, Jimmy Bartel – 2011, and Isaac Smith – 2022)

-Brisbane have three Norm Smith Medallists in their history (Shaun Hart – 2001, Simon Black – 2003, Will Ashcroft – 2024 & 2025)

If you can’t see the poll, click here