Brisbane Lions football boss Danny Daly has admitted he was shocked that prized draftee Levi Ashcroft was not selected with the first pick.
Ashcroft, who was a father-son selection, landed at the Lions after being bid on by Melbourne with pick five in the 2024 AFL draft.
And while the Lions matched the bid and he got to his dream destination without a fuss, it caught Daly by surprise.
"We were a little bit (surprised at how late the bid was)," Daly told SEN Radio.
The Lions declared that they expected the 18-year-old midfielder to be snapped up by the Tigers or Kangaroos with pick one or two.
Levi Ashcroft and Marcus Ashcroft pose at Brighton Homes Arena with the no.10 jumper. via Getty Images
"Look, we had him at number one or two, and that was where we thought he'd go," he said.
"But we can't control what other clubs think or the reason as to why he went so late.
"The reality was clubs put other players ahead of him and he went at 5, but for us, he was definitely number one or two."
Levi Ashcroft was selected by Brisbane as a father-son pick. Getty
Daly declared he is fitting in well with the broader group, despite being unable to join main training due to shoulder surgery.
"Unfortunately for him, he's had a bit of a shoulder operation, so he's in our rehab group in the minute and running really well.
"He's really frustrated that he's not out there doing the drills, but hopefully post-Christmas he'll be able to get out there.
Ashcroft has already had a taste of what life is like at the Lions and has a connection at the club, with brother Will winning the 2024 Norm Smith Medal during Brisbane's premiership victory over Sydney.
"He's previously been able to train with us for a week or two before being drafted, so he knew most of the boys," Daly said.
"He's a real competitor, very much like his brother and it's an interesting combination we've got there."
And when Daly says the teenager is fitting in, he really means it.
"He was quick to go straight to the number 10 locker when he got in, we knew straight away that was going to be his number," he said.
Ashcroft is taking his father's number, the 10, which was worn during three flags between 2001-2003.