Will Ashcroft could finish his first AFL season with two awards in his trophy cabinet: The Rising Star and the 2023 goal of the year.
For his outrageous finish during Brisbane’s clash with Fremantle at The Gabba on Saturday will be mightily tough to bear.
After Lions ruck Oscar McInerney tapped the ball towards the forward pocket from a stoppage, Ashcroft tapped the ball forward to his advantage. Then in mid-air and in one motion, the No. 2 draft pick grabbed the ball and got it to his right boot.
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And, somehow, it went through for a goal, sparking a big celebration from the usually unassuming Ashcroft and wild scenes among his teammates and Lions fans.
“You are kidding me! Something unbelievable from the kid. That is ridiculous. That is goal of the year,” dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy.
Lions legend Jonathan Brown added: “He’s just won himself a car.”
Ashcroft’s stunning snap from the pocket reminded Fox Footy commentators of North Melbourne great Daniel Wells’ brilliant goal from a stoppage in 2004 — famously dubbed “the Jackie Chan in mid-air”.
“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,” dual premiership Kangaroo David King told Fox Footy.
But as Montagna pointed out, Ashcroft’s goal had a higher degree of difficulty.
“That is going to be hard to beat. Daniel Wells was from right in front one metre out. He (Ashcroft) has done that from the boundary,” Montagna said.
It comes a week after Lions teammate Charlie Cameron pulled off his own goal of the year contender when he soccered through a major against the Giants.
Asked if Ashcroft had kicked goal of the year, Lions star Lachie Neale told Fox Footy at half-tine: “It has to be. Game over. He’s just stolen it off Charlie last week.”
