Ashcroft kicks miracle goal as Lions put away Dockers

Will Ashcroft has put forward a "next level" goal-of-the-year contender as Brisbane sunk Fremantle's AFL season to further depths.

The Lions (5-2) notched a fourth-straight win, untroubled in a 17.13 (115) to 10.7 (67) Gabba cruise on Saturday that plunged the Dockers to 2-5.

Lachie Neale had a day out but teenage wonder kid Ashcroft was the talking point after surpassing his own incredible expectations with a stunning second-quarter effort.

In just his seventh game, the midfielder anticipated the tap from a bounce close to goal, running down the short side and tapping the Sherrin to himself with his right hand.

He regathered in mid-air and, while under pressure, put the ball to the outside of his right foot and somehow squeaked through a goal from the tightest of angles.

The ultra-professional 18-year-old let his guard down, lifting both hands in disbelief and offering a cheeky smile as he was mobbed by his teammates.

Ashcroft's effort likely upstaged teammate Charlie Cameron's similarly freakish goal a week earlier, while it also had a higher degree of difficulty than Daniel Wells' much-celebrated 2004 goal of the year for North Melbourne.

When asked at halftime on Fox Footy if Ashcroft had just secured goal of the year honours, Lachie Neale was left in no doubt.

"Has to be, I think. Game over. He has just stolen it off Charlie from last week," Neale said.

"Well done Ashy, that was next level."

Ashcroft kicked another goal from a set shot soon after that and finished with 28 mostly silky disposals.

The Dockers looked down on confidence and direction as they lost an 11th-straight first quarter.

There was an attempt to handball more often and move the ball forward with some intent.

But their hands and composure let them down, two dropped marks and a missed shot at goal spoiling some terrific early ball movement.

That soon fell away too as the Lions found more space, Conor McKenna and Darcy Wilmot combining well as they scooted around the edges of the Gabba square.

Dockers veteran Michael Walters did provide a highlight with his own fantastic goal, spinning out of a tackle and grubbering from the boundary line.

Neale (35 disposals, 15 clearances) was everywhere while small forward Lincoln McCarthy kicked three goals to break the shackles of a quiet season, his defensive pressure along with Charlie Cameron's (two goals) in the forward 50 impressive.

Fremantle's problems are likely to be compounded, Matthew Johnson in danger of suspension after slamming Dayne Zorko into the turf in a tackle that stung the Lion.

Heavily involved in the first half, Zorko was a last-quarter substitution and finished the contest with ice strapped to his hamstring while Daniel Rich was nursing a sore calf.