Brisbane young gun Will Ashcroft made a convincing claim for this season’s AFL goal of the year honour as he scored a stunner during the Lions’ 48-point win over the Dockers at the Gabba on Saturday.
In only his seventh AFL game, Ashcroft scored from his own conveniently placed tap after teammate Oscar McInerney nudged the ball towards the forward pocket following a stoppage in the second quarter.
The midfielder then picked up the ball on the boundary line and slammed it onto his right boot – all in one motion and while cutting through the air.
The remarkable goal sparked euphoric celebration as Ashcroft was mobbed by his teammates.
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”You are kidding me. Something unbelievable from the kid. That is ridiculous. That is goal of the year,” St Kilda great Leigh Montagna said in commentary for Fox Footy.
“He’s just won himself a car,” Brisbane legend Jonathan Brown added on Fox Footy.
The effort follows teammate Charlie Cameron’s entry for best goal last round when the star forward soccered the ball through during Brisbane’s clash with GWS.
Asked if Ashcroft had kicked the goal of the year, 2020 Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale was convinced.
“It has to be. Game over. He’s just stolen it off Charlie last week,” he told Fox Footy at half-time.
Brisbane got out to a handy lead in the second term and didn’t falter against a revitalised Dockers outfit.
With the 17.13 (115) to 10.7 (67) victory, Brisbane broke the 100-point barrier for a fourth consecutive week.
However, the win may have come at a cost with captain Dayne Zorko suffering a hamstring injury and defender Daniel Rich injuring his calf.
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