Ashcroft is relishing his role in the middle for The Rock-Yerong Creek this year after playing in the backline in his first season at the club.

He was the Pies’ best two weeks ago, in the loss to Coleambally, and backed it up with a best-on-ground effort at Temora last week. 

But the Hawks, at home, represent a huge challenge.

“They probably have been (the best) for the last few years, so it’ll be a big game for us midfielders, they’re going to put a lot of pressure on us,” Ashcroft said.

In the round one draw at Victoria Park, the Hawks were without Ben Absolum and Stuart Brierty while Chris Gordon was playing his first game. 

Ashcroft, who previously played with Turvey Park in the Riverina League, is wary of the two-time Jim Quinn Medallist.

“He (Gordon) is pretty dangerous when he gets in the open and he can break the game away,” Aschroft said.

“He can be the difference – I’ve seen him play at Gullie, he’s pretty good.

“And Absolum too. They’re outside players and they’re dangerous if they get out the back.

“We’ll have to turn up.”

Ashcroft’s move to uncompromising on-baller came about after he made the most of pre-season opportunities.

He’d had experience there with Turvey Park but has benefited from playing with some of the best at The Rock. 

“It’s been great – blokes like David Pieper, Dale Hugo, Tom Yates,” he said.

“I started off as a tagging role in the middle (at Turvey Park) and just tried to learn from the better players.”

Just who hands out the lessons at Gumly will likely decide the game. 

There’s been next to nothing between the Hawks and Pies recently, with two wins each and a draw in five meetings since May last year.

And only six points separates their combined scores from those games, in favour of TRYC.

It was a crucial difference – effectively, Hugo’s winning goal in last year’s grand final.