FREMANTLE star Shai Bolton has become just the fifth player in the history of the Norm Smith Medal – and the first in 21 years – to win the coveted best on ground award in a losing Grand Final.
Bolton adds his name to legendary figures Chris Judd (West Coast, 2005), Nathan Buckley (Collingwood, 2002), Gary Ablett snr (Geelong, 1989) and Maurice Rioli (Richmond, 1982).
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The two-time premiership Tiger starred in his first decider for the Dockers, finishing with 26 disposals – most on the ground for Fremantle – 10 contested possessions, nine score involvements, nine inside 50s, seven marks and five tackles.
In one of the most evenly battled Norm Smith voting games in recent history, the man who won the previous two – Will Ashcroft – finished equal second alongside Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko.
Zorko and Bolton both polled three votes from two of the five judges, while Ashcroft collected votes from three different judges.
Bolton polled votes from each of Andrew McLeod, Shaun Burgoyne, Chris Judd, Michael Voss and Lauren Wood.
The 27-year-old reached half-time with 13 disposals to his name when the scores were level, finishing with eight touches in a tense final quarter to do everything to push the Dockers to a maiden premiership.
But it just wasn't enough, even despite the game looking almost over when Wharfie Time was activated with four minutes left after Pat Voss put the Dockers 17 points up 22 minutes into the fourth quarter.
The South Fremantle product is proving to be a sensational recruit since crossing from Richmond at the end of 2024 in a deal that saw the Dockers send three first-round picks to Punt Road in exchange for Bolton and a first-round pick and a future third-round pick.
Bolton was named All-Australian for the second time last month after first collecting a blazer in 2022.
Bolton will return to Western Australia without the medal he wanted when he flew to Melbourne on Wednesday, but after producing the best season of his career to date.
More to come
Norm Smith votes
10 - Shai Bolton, Fremantle - 3,3,2,1,1
6 - Dayne Zorko, Brisbane - 3,3
6 - Will Ashcroft, Brisbane – 3,2,1
4 - Caleb Serong, Fremantle – 2,2
3 - Hayden Young, Fremantle – 2,1
1 - Charlie Cameron, Brisbane –1
Judges votes (3, 2, 1)
Andrew McLeod (chair)
3. Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions)
2. Hayden Young (Fremantle)
1. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
Shaun Burgoyne
3. Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions)
2. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
1. Hayden Young (Fremantle)
Chris Judd
3. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
2. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
1. Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions)
Michael Voss
3. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
2. Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
1. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
Lauren Wood
3. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
2. Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
1. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)