Fremantle Dockers draftee Murphy Reid pipped to Rising Star nomination by Levi Ashcroft

Fremantle’s top draftee Murphy Reid will have to wait at least another week for a Rising Star nomination after being beaten to the punch in round four by Lions son-of-a-gun Levi Ashcroft.

Reid produced perhaps his most impressive performance to date on Sunday as the Dockers’ scored a clutch 16-point win over Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.

However, the 18-year-old’s 16 disposals and a goal to go with two goal assists and a clearance were bested by Ashcroft with 22 disposals and a goal as the reigning premiers dismissed Richmond 18.10 (118) to 13.12 (90).

Reid has been a sensation for the Dockers since bursting onto the scene with four goals in as many minutes on his debut in Geelong.

He has even made a case in each of his first three games for a nomination before being pipped by Richmond’s Sam Lalor, Cat Connor O’Sullivan and Melbourne midfielder Harvey Langford.

But his efforts went to another level against the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in round four.

The 18-year-old collected 16 disposals and a goal to go with two goal assists and a clearance in just his fourth outing.

However, Reid’s best moment of the game didn’t even record a stat.

In the dying stages, with the Bulldogs looking for a quick rebound after Fremantle dumped the ball into their forward half, Reid chased down the ball and pressured Bailey Dale as well as Harvey Gallagher to get the ball over the boundary inside his attacking 50.

The youngster got his reward at the subsequent clearance as Pat Voss ripped the ball out of the ruck and fed Reid with a handball so he could snap the game-sealer and salute the purple army.

Coach Justin Longmuir labelled the young gun a “beauty” on Monday.

“He had that four-minute period where he kicked four goals in his first game against Geelong, but his last three games have just been more and more consistent,” he told AFL360.

“I think what was evident yesterday was his maturity in those big moments he had late just to be able to compete two v one and get the ball out of bounds a couple of times when we desperately needed it. So, he’s evolving week in, week out.

“He’s always in Jaymie Graham’s office or my office looking for areas to improve on.”

The result brings the Dockers back to even with a record of two wins and two losses.