Freo star Nathan O’Driscoll scores with an insane 45-metre left-foot snap from the boundary line

Freo star Nathan O’Driscoll scores with an insane 45-metre snap from the boundary line in early contender for goal of the year – as Dockers stun Cats to stamp themselves as flag threat

Geelong kicked the first goals in their AFL clash against Fremantle on Saturday
However young Freo star Nathan O’Driscoll scored an insane goal in reply
He booted a left-footer from the left pocket to sneak a vital goal home
It allowed the Dockers to steer their way past Geelong in an important clash

By Josh Alston For Daily Mail Australia and Anna Harrington For Australian Associated Press

Published: 07:11 BST, 30 April 2022 | Updated: 08:45 BST, 30 April 2022

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Docker Nathan O’Driscoll has kicked a stunning goal on the run in the first quarter of Fremantle’s game against Geelong which has pundits already calling for it to be an AFL Goal of the Year contender.

When the left-footer spotted the almost open goal-square, he unleashed a mighty left-footed drop punt from the left pocket, which flew through thanks to a bit of defensive help from teammate Josh Treacy.

It was a vital goal for the Dockers, who conceded the first three goals of the match and four of the first five, helping them graft back to 5.0 (30) to 3.3 (21) at quarter time.

From there the Dockers stunned Geelong with a memorable three-point win at GMHBA Stadium to lay down their marker as a genuine AFL premiership contender.

The Dockers belied the injury-enforced absences of Sean Darcy and Matt Taberner, along with giving up the first three goals of Saturday’s game, to prevail 10.9 (69) to 10.6 (66) in one of the finest victories of Justin Longmuir’s tenure.

It was just their fourth win in 19 attempts at Kardinia Park and included keeping Geelong goalless from the 28-minute mark of the first quarter until the 20th minute of the third in front of 20,136 fans.

Fremantle are now 6-1 and second behind reigning premiers Melbourne despite skipper Nat Fyfe (back) not playing all season, while Geelong remain firmly in the pack of clubs jostling in the lower half of the eight.

Winger Blake Acres (27 disposals) was excellent while midfielder Andrew Brayshaw (28 disposals) was typically industrious.

‘Collier, keeps it in. He’s got O’Driscoll, handy left footer. From tight in the pocket, really tight in the pocket, it’s home with a wonderful finish,’ the Fox commentator said.

The official AFL Twitter account announced the goal as one of the best seen so far this season, Tweeting: ‘Goodness me Nathan O’Driscoll with one of the best snags we’ve seen this year’.

The effort had Freo fans in raptures, with Ben Cameron posting: ‘Left forward pocket at any ground is the Nathan O’Driscoll pocket’.

‘Nathan O’Driscoll was at Eastern beach he was so far out when he took that kick,’ Shane McInnes posted.

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