Marcus Ashcroft (1989 - 2003)

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Link (http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4711-0-0-0&sID=55257&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=4873138&sectionID=55257)

Brisbane games record-holder Marcus Ashcroft was the sole draftee from Queensland in 1988, a zone selection.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/5796/marcusashcroft.jpg

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Premierships:

2001

B: Chris Johnson Justin Leppitsch Darryl White
HB: Nigel Lappin Chris Scott Marcus Ashcroft
C: Jason Akermanis Michael Voss (c) Robert Copeland
HF: Shaun Hart Jonathan Brown Luke Power
F: Daniel Bradshaw Alastair Lynch Martin Pike
Foll: Clark Keating Simon Black Brad Scott
Int: Beau McDonald Craig McRae Tim Notting
Mal Michael
Coach: Leigh Matthews2002

B: Chris Johnson Chris Scott Justin Leppitsch
HB: Luke Power Mal Michael Marcus Ashcroft
C: Shaun Hart Michael Voss (c) Martin Pike
HF: Des Headland Jonathan Brown Nigel Lappin
F: Jason Akermanis Alastair Lynch Darryl White
Foll: Clark Keating Simon Black Brad Scott
Int: Beau McDonald Craig McRae Tim Notting
Aaron Shattock
Coach: Leigh Matthews2003

B: Chris Johnson Mal Michael Darryl White
HB: Luke Power Justin Leppitsch Nigel Lappin
C: Jason Akermanis Michael Voss (c) Martin Pike
HF: Ashley McGrath Jonathan Brown Robert Copeland
F: Craig McRae Alastair Lynch Daniel Bradshaw
Foll: Clark Keating Simon Black Shaun Hart
Int: Jamie Charman Blake Caracella Marcus Ashcroft
Richard Hadley
Coach: Leigh MatthewsBrisbane Bears Club Champion results:

1989:
1990:
1991:
1992:
1993: 3rd
1994:
1995:
1996:Merrett-Murray Medal results:

1997: 3rd 79 votes
1998: 2nd 65 votes
1999: 3rd 57 votes
2000: =14th 27 votes
2001: 5th 55 votes
2002: =3rd 59 votes
2003: 16th 43.5 votesBrisbane Lions Team of the Decade:

B: Chris Johnson Mal Michael Darryl White
HB: Marcus Ashcroft Justin Leppitsch Chris Scott
M: Nigel Lappin Michael Voss (c) Brad Scott
HF: Jason Akermanis Jonathan Brown Craig McRae
F: Luke Power Alastair Lynch Daniel Bradshaw
Foll: Clark Keating Simon Black Shaun Hart
Int: Martin Pike Tim Notting Jamie Charman
Richard Champion
Coach: Leigh MatthewsQueensland team of the century:

B: Marcus Ashcroft Dick Verdon Wayne Stewart
HB: Gavin Crosisca Don Smith Zane Taylor
C: Scott McIvor Doug Pittard Des Hughes
HF: John Stackpoole Dick Parton Barry Clarke
F: Ray Hughson Jason Dunstall (vc) Owen Backwell
R: Ken Grimley Michael Voss (c) Jason Akermanis
INT: Keith Leach Alex McGill Noel McGuinness
Mal Michael Gordon Phelan Clem Ryan

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Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Ashcroft)

Ashcroft was born on the Gold Coast to a family from Melbourne. As a child he lived in Victoria until the age of 3 when he moved permanently to the Gold Coast with his family. His junior football career began at the Surfers Paradise Australian Rules Football Club.

Ashcroft was recruited to join the Brisbane Bears in 1989 when the club was in its darkest period. He made his debut in Round 9 of that year against North Melbourne at the MCG. Ashcroft played over 150 consecutive games amongst his 318 career appearances (including 145 goals). He was at various points a key part of the leadership group although he never captained the club. A three time premiership player with the Brisbane Lions, Ashcroft retired at the end of 2003, fittingly with an AFL premiership medallion.

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/5796/marcusashcroft.jpg

Statistics:

afl tables (http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/M/Marcus_Ashcroft.html)
footywire (http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-brisbane-lions--marcus-ashcroft)
final siren (http://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=444)

[luthor]

..............and well played.

News on the Lions AFL website that Marcus Ashcroft has announced his retirement.

He's had his critics in the last couple of seasons but as Leigh said, he was the ultra-consistent and professional performer and you always knew what you were getting.

One of the true champs and gentlemen of the game.

And for those of us who haven't been around for long enough to remember, I can tell you he was an absolute standout as a midfielder in the early years of the "Bad News Bears", almost always featuring in the list of "Bests".

Back in those dim,dark days he was to the Bears what Simon Black is to the Lions today...........except he had very little support or back up. There was many a Bears game where he virtually played a lone hand only to see his side on the receiving end thumping after thumping

Nevertheless, who could forget his amazing 19 possessions in ONE quarter against the Eagles when we towelled them by 100 points a few years ago (1999, I think).

So long Marcus and thanks for the memories:)

[Tim56]

Been a fine player for all his career. A credit to himself and the Brisbane footy club. Does a career in coaching beckon?

[Slax]

Was the sort of player some people thought should've gone a while ago because he does his job but not the flashy stuff. Was still a key member of the team and has picked ht perfect time to go which is a rarity nowadays in professional sport.

Well done Ash

[luthor]

On a more pragmatic note, it will give us a bit more room to move to get under the cap and I suppose, increase the chances of retaining more of the other out of contract players from 2003.

Having said that, I have no idea what sort of money Ashcroft was on this season.

[NathanD]

Congratulations Choppers on a great career.

What a time to bow out - well and truly on top.

An ornament to the game.

[Lady Lawrence]

Listening to Choppers on the radio last night he said he has had a hip problem most of the year and the specialist told him he was unlikely to be able to go another season. Said he didn't really have any trouble with pain during the game but after was when it hit, couldn't sleep because of the pain etc. Amazing to hear these stories and what they put themselves through.

Good luck to Choppers for life after footy and a big thank you for years of loyal service to the club we love.

[Grimreepah]

Ashcroft a Legend (http://www.aflq.com.au/index.php?id=5&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=331&tx_ttnews[backPid]=129&cHash=5e56124bab)

Marcus Ashcroft was elevated to ‘Legend’ status in the Queensland Football Hall of Fame tonight as the League inducted 10 new Hall of Fame members. Born in Melbourne but a Gold Coast product from age three, he came through the ranks at Surfers Paradise and Southport, and was a standout Queensland junior who made his AFL debut in 1989. Was a model of consistency and reliability, with 10 top 10 B&F finishes, plus awards for Most Professional Player (1997) and 1%er of the Year (1993).

A State of Origin representative for Queensland, Queeensland/NT and the Allies, he was Bears/Lions vice-captain 1994-97. Posted a remarkable 170 consecutive games from 1992-2000 and ranks fifth among AFL players for most games without being reported. Originally a prolific ball-winning midfielder or goal-kicking half forward, he re-invented himself towards the latter part of his career as a close-checking defender, until he was forced into retirement after the 2003 grand final by a chronic hip problem that subsequently required a hip replacement.

http://a.imageshack.us/img294/7960/ashcroftq.jpg

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QClash 1: Marcus Ashcroft Medal announced (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/112838/default.aspx)
12:12 PM Sun 01 May, 2011

The QClash will become a regular feature of the AFL Calendar, and will include a medal for the player who is Best on Ground at each meeting.

The Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS can officially announce that this medal will be named after Queensland AFL great Marcus ‘Choppers’ Ashcroft.

Born-and-bred Queenslander Ashcroft spent fifteen years playing for the Bears and Brisbane Lions and holds the record for the most games played, with 318. He was the first Queenslander in the history of the AFL to reach 300 games.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1834/ashcroft.jpg

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Link to article (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/113189/default.aspx)

He started with the Bears playing out of Carrara on the Gold Coast at a time when Queensland was considered little more than a footy backwater, despite the code having a history stretching back to the 1860s.

"It's chalk and cheese from when I started," Ashcroft said. "I played my first game in 1989 and you look at the crowds and we didn't have that many hard-core supporters.

"Most of the people who came along were ex-pat Victorians and they tended to support the opposition.

"I really think the success of the Brisbane Lions drew a lot of people in. Everyone likes to be associated with successful teams and that really helped stamp us.

"In 2001, '02 and '03, having that ultimate success (premierships) really meant that south-east Queensland took us on board. It was fantastic to have that real passion and to know your supporters really cared for you."

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/1834/ashcroft.jpg

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http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/5796/marcusashcroft.jpg

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Most disposals in a quarter (http://www.aflrecord.com.au/displayRecord/id/69)

19 Marcus Ashcroft Brisbane Lions Round 17, 1999
19 Darren Milburn Geelong Round 16, 2008
18 Luke Power Brisbane Lions Round 17, 2004
18 Dane Swan Collingwood Round 2, 2011
18 Tom Scully Melbourne Round 7, 2010

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/1834/ashcroft.jpg

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CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/122833/default.aspx)

Lions champion Luke Power has finished in the Club Champion top five in each of the past eight seasons without ever securing the top prize.

Marcus Ashcroft is the only other Lions player in recent history to have had come close to such an extended period of consistency without the reward. ‘Choppers’ finished in the top five six times - including four times inside the top three.

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1834/ashcroft.jpg

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Link (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/53904/default.aspx)

Brisbane Lions' first ever team (1997):

B: Ben Robbins Richard Champion Danny Dickfos
HB: Michael McLean Jarrod Molloy Andrew Gowers
C: Matthew Kennedy Adrian Fletcher Nigel Lappin
HF: Scott McIvor Dion Scott Michael Voss (c)
F: Darryl White Alastair Lynch (c) Chris Johnson
R: Matthew Clarke Marcus Ashcroft Shaun Hart
I/C: Justin Leppitsch Clark Keating Tristan Lynch

Emer: Nathan Chapman Simon Hawking
Scott Bamford Shane Clayton

Brisbane Lions' first ever finals team (1997):

B: Chris Johnson Alastair Lynch (c) Danny Dickfos
HB: Andrew Gowers Dion Scott Darryl White
C: Scott Bamford Adrian Fletcher Tristan Lynch
HF: Steven Lawrence Justin Leppitsch Nigel Lappin
F: Nick Trask Daniel Bradshaw Jason Akermanis
R: Matthew Clarke Shaun Hart Marcus Ashcroft
I/C: Craig Lambert Ben Robbins Nathan Chapman

Emer: Brett Voss Chris Scott Shane Clayton

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International Rules (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/125442/default.aspx)

FORMER Brisbane Lions defender Marcus Ashcroft had an undeniably brilliant career: he was a member of the Lions' 2001-2003 premiership teams and he reached the 300-games milestone, in his case with 318 games.

After all that, he regards his place in the Australian squad for the 1999 International Rules Series among his career highlights.

"It was one of the best experiences you can have," Ashcroft told AFL.com.au. "It builds relationships that you keep for the rest of your life."

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/5796/marcusashcroft.jpg

[ZoBlitz]

I had totally forgotten that he played in that series. Shows you how much impression International Rules leaves on me, I suppose.

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Keeping The Faith - Brisbane (http://www.tasfootball.com.au/tas-football-articles/1995/9/7/keeping-the-faith-brisbane/)
The Age
Thursday September 7, 1995
Ashley Browne

In 1989, Marcus Ashcroft was living a dream. Just out of Southport, Ashcroft was not out of his teens and he was already playing league football in his home state.
What's more, he was playing alongside some of the big names of football, men whose deeds he followed year after year via direct telecasts out of Melbourne. ``I idolised these guys, " he said.
But there was a problem. Many of his idols didn't share his passion. While Ashcroft busted a gut week in and week out, despaired at the almost-weekly defeats and rejoiced in the rare victories, some of his more celebrated teammates couldn't give a toss. The size of the morning swell at Burleigh Heads was as important as training that night.

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1834/ashcroft.jpg

[mikey127]

I thought over summer we should reflect on some past greats of our club and share our memories of them. Ok I'm being a little self indulgent by starting with my favourite Brisbane Lion but I feel this guy was a unsung hero.

Choppers was a very consistent player and no matter whether we were winning or loosing always did his bit.

I think he was one of the elite midfielders in the comp through the 90's but never really got noticed

I know this was a bears moment but I rember in that 95 come back game against Hawthorn he was a star and sandy roberts yelling something like "Marcus you've kicked a goal" when he from emmory put the bears in front late in that game

A great champion of our great club

Discussion Thread (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=897478)

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Link (http://www.afana.com/netpaper/oct28-29862.html) ....

There are 11 Brisbane Lion players who played in each of the club's 16 consecutive victories up to and including the Grand Final victory. They are Marcus Ashcroft, Simon Black, Daniel Bradshaw, Jonathan Brown, Robert Copeland, Shaun Hart, Nigel Lappin, Craig McRae, Tim Notting, Brad Scott and Michael Voss. Of this group, Marcus Ashcoft is the only player to have also played every match during the then-Brisbane Bears' club record 12 consecutive losses from Round 20 1990 to Round 10 1991.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5796/marcusashcroft.jpg

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The Apprentices (http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/129346)
Footy Record 1989
Week 6 of finals, page 81

Marcus Ashcroft, who slipped into the Brisbane Bears senior team for the first time in the ninth round this year, is the youngest of the youngsters to play senior grade VFL football this year. He is just on 18 - and a shade younger than two St Kilda players - Robert Harvey and Gordon Fode and Jose Romero, of North Melbourne. When Ashcroft got in the top team he stayed in - until he was hurt in the 15th round. However, he came back in round 20 and played out the season. Ashcroft hails from Southport, on the Queensland Gold Coast.

1 Marcus Ashcroft (BB) 18.0
2 Robert Harvey (StK) 18.1
3 Gordon Fode (StK) 18.1
4 Jose Romero (NM) 18.1
5 Andrew Krakouer (NM) 18.2
6 Anthony Stevens (NM) 18.2
7 Wayne Carey (NM) 18.4
8 Brendan Tranter (Coll) 18.5
9 Cory Young (Rich) 18.6
10 Jayson Daniels (StK) 18.7
11 John Longmire (NM) 18.8
12 Simon Taylor (Coll) 18.9
13 Darren Wheildon (Fitz) 18.10
14 Ron James (Foots) 18.10
15 Tim McGrath (NM) 18.11
16 Matthew Knights (Rich) 18.11