Just as Nick Daicos’ talent was a known commodity long before he landed as a father-son pick at Collingwood, so too have the abilities of Will Ashcroft (son of triple premiership Brisbane Lion Marcus) been talked up since his junior days.
We all know he’s good. How good? Early in the second quarter during the Lions’ demolition of Fremantle, he produced a moment that left jaws at the Gabba agape: leaping in the air to take possession, and dropping it onto his boot, checkside, before he returned to earth.
From an extremely acute angle, the ball sailed over the goal umpire’s hat. Caleb Serong, James Aish and Luke Ryan, all in Ashcroft’s wake, stopped in shock. Even Ashcroft, not the most demonstrative celebrator, looked impressed.
The Lions hadn’t banked the game by that point, but it was as good as done. The Dockers, semi-finalists last year, are in a deep hole, with two wins from seven matches, and are playing like a team that’s lost system and belief.
There were moments of ill-discipline, too, such as when Matt Johnson slammed Dayne Zorko into the turf late in the second quarter, leaving Zorko dazed. Johnson was reported; Zorko, who had been among the best afield, was subbed out later, ice on his hamstring.
Ashcroft followed up that freakish goal with another more conventional set shot, on the way to the Lions opening up a 31-point break at half-time – not unassailable, but not one the Dockers ever really looked like chasing down, either.
This is not a Nat Fyfe-shaped problem for Fremantle, though getting a fit version of their champion back won’t hurt, especially if he can help the Dockers’ small midfield, which was smashed in the contested ball count.
On the outside, the Dockers won plenty of it. But that’s not much good when your ball movement is so slow, you don’t get enough entries inside attack, and your options are so few once you get in there. Luke Jackson, again, looked lost up forward.
Michael Walters rivalled Ashcroft with his own contender for goal of the year early in the last quarter: after being turned a full circle in a Harris Andrews tackle, Walters slipped loose and somehow threaded the ball from the boundary while still horizontal.
But it was party time after that for the Lions. After a spotty start to their season, they’ve found their groove now. Lachie Neale put on his best display for the season with 35 possessions, and Josh Dunkley and Ashcroft have given their midfield extra class and grunt.
Their forward line also fired, with Joe Daniher, Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Zac Bailey and Lincoln McCarthy all kicking multiple goals. In defence, Harris Andrews continued his best year since being named an All-Australian in 2019–2020.
Half-back Daniel Rich came off late in the game with a sore calf, while Zorko’s tight hamstring will be assessed, with his withdrawal considered precautionary.
Brisbane Lions 3.5 8.7 13.10 17.13 (115)
Fremantle 1.3 3.6 8.6 10.7 (67)
Goals
Brisbane Lions: McCarthy 3, Daniher 3, Ashcroft 2, Bailey 2, Hipwood 2, Cameron 2, Gunston, McKenna, Rayner.
Fremantle: O’Meara 2, Brayshaw 2, Switkowski 2, Jackson, O’Driscoll, Walters, Amiss.
Best
Brisbane Lions: Neale, Andrews, Ashcroft, Dunkley, Bailey, Zorko.
Fremantle: Young, Brayshaw, Serong, Darcy, O’Meara.
Injuries
Brisbane Lions: Zorko (hamstring), Rich (calf).
Fremantle: Nil.
Umpires: Stephens, Howorth, Gianfagna, Tee.
