THE ASHCROFTS “don't lose Grand Finals”, and Will Ashcroft doesn't see any reason Brisbane's premiership run has to end at three.
No club has won four consecutive premierships since Collingwood's legendary 'Machine' team of the late 1920s, but Ashcroft believes the Lions have the talent to chase a history-making fourth straight flag.
GRAND FINAL Full match coverage and stats
After Brisbane's remarkable comeback from 17 points down secured a three peat, Ashcroft refuses to put a ceiling on what this group can achieve.
"Like that Bron [LeBron James] thing when he went to the Heat, just saying he's going to win eight or nine championships, something like that. We'll just keep daring to dream," he told AFL.com.au in the rooms post-match.
"I don't think anyone's won four in the modern era, so that would be something special to chase next year."
The Lions’ latest premiership also preserved an extraordinary family tradition.
Ashcroft light-heartedly referenced the family's unbeaten record on Grand Final day, a mark shared with brother Levi and father Marcus. Marcus won three premierships with Brisbane from 2001-03, while Will and Levi have continued the tradition on football's biggest stage.
"Dad's just over the moon," Ashcroft grinned.
"I know the Ashcrofts don't lose Grand Finals, so we're just trying to keep the train going!"
Asked about matching his father's premiership tally and adding to the family's growing collection of silverware, Levi Ashcroft reflected on the scale of their collective success.
"For him [Marcus], he won three and I've won two, so altogether it's insane really," Levi said.
"Well, I'm only two years in, Will's only four, so, yeah, it's crazy to think."
That tally doesn't even account for Levi's three consecutive Talent League premierships with Sandringham Dragons before being drafted.
"Some people go through their whole career and don't win one," Marcus Ashcroft told AFL.com.au.
"Between the three of us we've got eight, so we're just so lucky to be with the club at the right time.
"Will is in his fourth year, and after missing a year with his knee, he's basically had three playing years and three premierships. Levi has won two in his first two years, so that's not normal. We don't take them for granted at all. We're so proud because they've worked so hard.
"It's hard to comprehend because when I played so many years ago, I can barely remember those days. But when you're a parent you ride the highs and lows so much more, and we're incredibly grateful that our boys are at a great club."
Yet despite the family's incredible success, Levi revealed they don't keep a formal display of their silverware at home but might look to do so now.
"All Dad's stuff is collecting dust at our grandpa's place, so we'll have to bring it all out and see how good it looks," he said with a laugh.
"I think it'd be good to put them all together as a bit of a shrine."
Will reiterated that neither the playing group nor the Ashcroft family is intent on slowing down.
"There's a lot of youth in our group still," he said.
"We've got guys who are sort of getting a little bit older, but we've got that core group there who aren't older than 27 or 28. There's a lot of younger guys coming through who haven't even played a lot of AFL footy yet, so they'll be raring to go."
Comparing Brisbane's current squad to his own era, Marcus believes the club's premiership window remains wide open thanks to a well-balanced list.
"Back when I played, we were coming to the end of it; we were a bit older. But now, list management has done a really great job," he said.
"The club is in a place where it's still a really young demographic, so the sky's the limit. Experienced players like Lachie Neale add stability, but there are some other really good young kids coming through who probably missed out today."
Marcus also sees similarities between Brisbane's current side and the three premiership teams he played in, despite the eras being difficult to compare.
"When people try to say which team beats who, it's hard to compare because the game has changed so much," he said.
While his premiership teams "played a different brand", Marcus believes both generations share the same defining trait.
"This team has just got that belief in themselves that they can win no matter what.
"They're so well-respected, they trust each other and they just rely on trying to get it done. I think you just sit back and enjoy it; they're great times."