But the former Gold Coast Suns football manager, a Lions triple-premiership before that, is also wiping his hands of any blame for letting it happen.
Former skipper Dayne Zorko, the All-Australian and 2024 premiership star, will become just the fifth man to play 300 games for the Brisbane Lions, or their merged Brisbane Bears and Fitzroy Lions entities, on Sunday when they host Hawthorn.
The 36-year-old this week confirmed a one-year contract extension that will see him play a 15th AFL season and said on Thursday it may not be his last.
It's a remarkable tale of perseverance, then resilience, for a man who debuted at 23 after being overlooked at four drafts despite winning four best-and-fairest gongs at the lower level for Broadbeach.
Gold Coast had access to him as a Queensland priority selection but, with Brisbane 300-gamer Ashcroft among the Suns' decision makers, traded him to the Lions at the end of 2011.
"For the record, when I was at the Suns, it wasn't my decision," Ashcroft said, tongue in cheek, at the Lions' Springfield headquarters on Thursday.
"Making sure everyone's clear on that.
"In hindsight, it's the best thing that could have ever happened, because now he's an icon of Brisbane.
"Phenomenal to see what he's been doing; 300 games, but not just get there, he's in All-Australian form again."
Zorko had never addressed the snub with Ashcroft until he was there to congratulate him on Thursday.
"I haven't, but I will," he smirked.
But the backline threat said there was no lingering resentment.
"Maybe for the first couple of years I was a little bit disappointed other clubs didn't see the potential I may have had," he said.
"Since then, just grateful Brisbane gave me the opportunity."
Zorko has played 60 consecutive games and is again pushing for another All-Australian blazer with brave, precise ball use that has been integral to the premiers' title defence.
The contract extension was an obvious move but Zorko said there were serious doubts at the same point three years ago.
"I didn't think even getting to game 250 was a possibility," he said.
"I was desperately in need of the finish line that year ... said that if I can get my body right, I don't want to continue on past the 2023 season, because I feel like I'm letting myself down.
"But more importantly, I'm letting the team down as well."
Relinquishing the captaincy allowed him to invest more energy in his health while a move to the backline last season to cover Keidean Coleman's knee injury also worked wonders.
Simon Black, behind only Fitzroy great Kevin Murray (333) on the merged club's games-played list with 322, was still playing when Zorko arrived at the Lions.
"Fair to say he's matured a fair bit," Black said.
"He came in very energetic, talkative, boisterous, amazing skill-set.
"Very ambitious ... cheeky but lovable at the same time.
"The greatest strength he brings to the team is the energy.
"It's a long, arduous season, even when you're winning more than you're losing."
LIONS KINGS
* Kevin Murray (333 games for Fitzroy)
* Simon Black (322 games for Brisbane Lions)
* Marcus Ashcroft (318 games for Bears and Lions)
* Alastair Lynch (308 games for Fitzroy, Bears and Lions)
* Dayne Zorko (299 games for Lions)
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