Ashcroft: Metrics

Strong foundations, but the next step requires more from each possession

Key metrics by season, 2023 to 2026

How hard does he compete for the ball?

Contested possession rate — % of disposals won in contested situations

Will Ashcroft Nick Daicos Finn Callaghan Harry Sheezel Jason Horne-Francis

Ashcroft's contested rate of 37% is solid and improving. Horne-Francis wins significantly more contested ball but with lower disposal efficiency. Ashcroft competes hard but hasn't yet reached Daicos's elite 2024 level of 43%.

Is he winning the ball out of stoppages?

Clearances per game — winning the ball directly from a stoppage and clearing it

Will Ashcroft Nick Daicos Finn Callaghan Harry Sheezel Jason Horne-Francis

Ashcroft's clearances jumped from 3.5 in 2023 to 5.5 in 2025, a meaningful step up that now matches Daicos's 2023 level. This is a genuinely positive trend in his development.

Is he converting possessions into scoring opportunities?

Score involvements per disposal — % of disposals that lead to a score for his team

Will Ashcroft Nick Daicos Finn Callaghan Harry Sheezel Jason Horne-Francis

At 23% in 2025, Ashcroft converts the lowest proportion of his disposals into scoring opportunities among the peer group. Daicos converts 26% and Horne-Francis 34%. He gets the ball regularly but needs to do more with it in forward half situations.

How far is he moving the ball when he gets it?

Metres gained per disposal — average metres the ball travels forward with each possession

Will Ashcroft Nick Daicos Finn Callaghan Harry Sheezel Jason Horne-Francis

At 11.6 metres per disposal in 2025, Ashcroft generates the least forward penetration of the peer group. Callaghan generates 20.1 metres and Daicos 16.8. His disposals tend to be shorter and more lateral, which limits how much damage he does per touch.