A Public Display of Disbelief
Brisbane Lions midfielder Will Ashcroft has sparked widespread discussion following his exclusion from the 2026 All-Australian team, announced at the AFL awards ceremony on Tuesday night. Despite being widely considered a frontrunner for the prestigious lineup, the 22-year-old two-time grand final medalist was left off the final roster, prompting him to share a series of cryptic messages on Instagram.
Ashcroft initially used his platform to celebrate the achievements of his teammates Harris Andrews, Logan Morris, and Zac Bailey, who were selected for the team. However, the tone of his social media presence shifted shortly after, as he shared images of prominent American basketball figures and sports analyst Stephen A. Smith wearing expressions of confusion and disbelief. The posts concluded with a famous meme of LeBron James during the 2012 NBA playoffs, signaling a sense of frustration regarding his own omission.
Statistical Performance vs. Selection
The decision to overlook Ashcroft has drawn sharp criticism from fans and experts alike, given his individual performance during the 2026 season. Ashcroft finished fourth in the AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year voting—a record-setting year for winner Nick Daicos—and ranked sixth overall in disposals. Furthermore, he remained among the top five players in the league for score involvements, establishing himself as a pivotal engine for the Brisbane Lions.
Teammate Kai Lohmann, speaking on B105’s Stav, Abby and Matt, defended Ashcroft, stating, “He was super, super stiff to not make the team.” Lohmann, who was also excluded from the squad, emphasized that Ashcroft’s season was objectively one of the strongest in his position, contrasting his exclusion with the inclusion of players who missed significant portions of the season, such as Zak Butters and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
Expert Reaction and Panel Scrutiny
The exclusion of high-performing players like Ashcroft, Carlton’s Patrick Cripps, and the Western Bulldogs’ Ed Richards has cast a spotlight on the AFL selection panel. Melbourne legend Garry Lyon expressed surprise at the final lineup, noting that it deviated significantly from expert predictions. Lyon remarked, “Gee whiz, it was unrecognizable to the team that was named on the night. I thought Will Ashcroft was really stiff.”
The debate has reignited questions regarding the selection criteria and the value of pre-announcing a 46-player squad. Former selector Kane Cornes has been particularly vocal, labeling the process “pointless” and suggesting the transparency of the selection process is failing to align with the statistical realities of the game. As Brisbane approaches another finals series, the focus remains on whether these snubs reflect a shift in how the league values specific roles compared to raw statistical output.