Will Ashcroft kicks ridiculous Goal of the Year contender as Lions thump Dockers

The No.1 AFL draft pick has shown exactly why he’s rated so highly with a ridiculous goal that has stunned the footy world.

Marcus Ashcroft, you are a freak.

Will Ashcroft has stunned the AFL world with an almost certain Goal of the Year nominee that evoked memories of Daniel Wells’ famous “Jackie Chan” goal from 2004.

Tapping the ball forward from a hitout to advantage deep into the forward pocket, Ashcroft was squeezed onto the boundary line with nowhere to go, with most onlookers expecting the ball to roll innocuously over the boundary.

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The father-son selection had other ideas however, picking up the ball and throwing it onto his boot in a single mid-air motion, sending the Sherrin through the big sticks.

The football world into meltdown.

GOTY from another angle @brisbanelions#AFLLionsFreo#GOTYpic.twitter.com/F7EUyDlb3A

— Kate McCarthy (@kateemac9) April 29, 2023

“You are kidding me! Something unbelievable from the kid. That is ridiculous. That is goal of the year,” said Leigh Montagna on Fox Footy.

“He’s just won himself a car,” said Jonathan Brown, in reference to the car awarded by Toyota to the winner of the award as sponsor.

“I saw Daniel Wells do something similar, the Jackie Chan (from Ashcroft) was a little different from a ruck contest, but this is very similar,” said David King.

Marcus Ashcroft somehow kicked this acrobatic goal. Photo: Twitter.

It would spark a huge runaway lead for Brisbane, imposing their credentials on the competition as serious premiership contenders in the 17.13 (115) to 10.7 (67) win.

It helped secure the Lions’ fourth-straight win, after losing two of their first three games.

The Lions well and truly snapped back into form with a four quarter performance over the struggling Dockers, adding another win to their list including Melbourne, Collingwood, North Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney.

Will Ashcroft dominated for Brisbane, finishing with 28 disposals and 2 goals in another show of class. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

Brisbane’s defence was a brick wall, with Brandon Starcevich, Daniel Rich and Harris Andrews using their big statures to fend off the Dockers, while Lachie Neale notched a stunning 35 disposals, along with 21 handballs and seven tackles.

Despite the loss, Fremantle’s own midfield showed good signs with Hayden Young notching 33 disposals, Andrew Brayshaw 30 disposals.

The win marks Fremantle’s third loss of the season as they head into clashes against Hawthorn, Sydney and Geelong in the coming weeks.

Ashcroft was humble in victory, telling Alistair Lynch in the post-match interview he simply got lucky.

“Nah it was a lucky one, all the boys were saying it was a nice goal, but didn’t have much choice, just had a crack on the boundary there and luckily it went through,” Ashcroft said after the win.

Ashcroft said he’d been loving his start to life as a professional athlete.

“I’ve been loving every minute … just every week I’m getting excited to play.”

- with NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Will Ashcroft kicks ridiculous Goal of the Year contender as Lions thump Dockers