After missing out on being drafted as an 18 year old, Ambrose spent several years toying away in the Victorian Amateur Football League.

After years of consistent performances for Old Xavier, Ambrose got a call up to the VFL for Essendon’s reserves side where he showed enough to earn a rookie list position on their senior list in 2014. He debuted in Round 1, 2014, holding his spot and playing 16 games for the season.

Across defence and half forward, Ambrose’s durability and versatility were on show as he played his 50th game in his third season.

In 2017 Ambrose played in his first finals series and was awarded the Adam Ramanauskas Award for the Most Courageous Player at the Essendon Football Club Best and Fairest.

At the end of 2021, Ambrose retired from the AFL with 88 games to his name.