Ashley McGrath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashley McGrath |
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McGrath with the Brisbane Lions in 2008
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Ashley Vernon McGrath | ||
| Nickname(s) | Ash, Boonj | ||
| Date of birth | 20 May 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Northam, Western Australia, Australia | ||
| Original team | South Fremantle (WAFL) | ||
| Draft |
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| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Ashley Vernon McGrath (born 20 May 1983) is a retired Indigenous Australian Australian rules football player. He was a talented forward who played for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL). Ashley was known for his speed and skill on the field.
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Early Career and Premiership Success
Ashley McGrath was chosen by the Brisbane Lions in the 2000 AFL Draft. He was the 13th player picked overall. He made his first AFL appearance late in the 2001 season. Ashley quickly became an important part of the team. By 2003, he was a regular player for the Lions. That year, he helped the team win their third straight AFL premiership. This was a huge achievement for the club.
In 2005, Ashley got even more chances to play as a forward. This happened after other key forwards, Craig McRae and Alastair Lynch, retired.
Playing Style and Key Moments
During the 2008 season, Ashley tried playing a new role. He was tested as a "rebounding half-back flanker." This means he would help move the ball from defense to attack. He had some good games in this new position.
Ashley's 2009 season was a mix of ups and downs. The first half was a bit tough for him. But after a break in the middle of the season, he played one of his best games ever. In Round 15, he had 30 disposals (meaning he got the ball 30 times) against Geelong. For the rest of that season, he averaged more than 20 disposals per game.
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One of Ashley's most famous moments happened in 2013. In Round 13, playing his 200th AFL game, he kicked a goal right after the siren sounded. This amazing goal won the game for the Lions against Geelong. He was only the 36th AFL player to ever do this. This match is now famously known as the "Miracle on Grass".
International Rules Series
In 2013, Ashley McGrath was chosen to play for the Australia international rules football team. He played as the goalkeeper in the 2013 International Rules Series in Ireland. This series is a special game between Australian rules football and Gaelic football. Australia lost the series, but Ashley was the only Brisbane Lions player selected for the team.
Retirement
Ashley McGrath announced that he was retiring from football on 21 August 2014. When he retired, he was the very last player remaining from the Brisbane Lions' amazing triple premiership-winning teams of 2001, 2002, and 2003. He played a total of 214 games and kicked 170 goals for the Brisbane Lions.
Family Connections
Ashley comes from a family of talented footballers. He has two brothers, Toby and Cory, who also played for AFL clubs. He is also a cousin of former AFL player Dion Woods.
