Fremantle star Shai Bolton was both “honoured” and “gutted” after he became the first player since Chris Judd in 2005 to claim the Norm Smith Medal in a losing side.
Bolton was awarded 10 of a maximum 15 votes ahead of Lions defender Dayne Zorko (six) and two-time winner Will Ashcroft (six), who was the heavy favourite to claim his third heading into the AFL decider.
Bolton was judged the best player afield with a team-high 26 disposals and a game-high nine score involvements, nine inside 50s and 686 metres-gained, despite a wayward 0.2 in front of goal.
SEE THE FULL VOTING BELOW
“To be honest, it’s a bit hard,” Bolton said when asked how he was feeling in the traditional post-game press conference.
“You don’t really play (for individual awards), you play to win premierships. I’m honoured to get the Norm Smith but I’m gutted for our boys. We didn’t get the job done today.”
Bolton was one of only three Dockers to have played in a premiership, alongside Luke Jackson (Melbourne, 2021) and Mason Cox (Collingwood, 2023), winning two at Richmond in 2019 and 2020.
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said the 27-year-old, who joined the club at the end of 2024, harnessed that experience on Saturday.
“He’s probably emulated his whole finals series,” Longmuir said of Bolton’s performance.
“He’s been in this position (playing in a grand final) a lot and I think that experience showed today. His ability to win the ball but then make sure it either gets to the outside through his own endeavors or feeding it to others on the outside.
“He’s had a super final series and today was a big part of that.”
Dockers vice captain Caleb Serong (four) and star midfielder Hayden Young (three) also polled, with Longmuir saying a lot of his players can hold their head high in the seven-point defeat.
“I thought we had a lot of winners on the day,” Longmuir said. “Most of our players can hold their head up high with the way they performed and clearly Shai was one of them.”
Lions forward Charlie Cameron was awarded one vote while teammate Josh Dunkley was snubbed despite 21 disposals, 14 of those contested, 12 tackles and a game-high 30 pressure acts.
The five-person panel, chaired by Norm Smith medallist and Adelaide premiership player Andrew McLeod, included Judd himself.
The West Coast premiership captain famously claimed the Norm Smith when Sydney defeated the Eagles more than two decades ago in a decision that was unpopular with Swans fans at the time and prompted boos from the disappointed crowd.
A player had not claimed the award in a losing side since Judd, with only four achieving the feat before Bolton including Nathan Buckley (Collingwood, 2002), Gary Ablett Sr (Geelong, 1989) and Maurice Rioli (Richmond, 1982).
Brisbane three-time premiership captain Michael Voss, four-time Port Adelaide and Hawthorn premiership champion Shaun Burgoyne and Herald Sun journalist Lauren Wood made up the voting panel.
Judd and Voss awarded Bolton the maximum three votes, while Burgoyne gave him two and McLeod and Wood gave him one. Zorko was awarded three votes by both McLeod and Burgoyne but received no other votes.
The former Lions captain has 28 disposals, nine marks and nine rebound 50s, quelling many of the Dockers forays forward.
Ashcroft, who claimed back-to-back Norm Smith medals in 2024 and 2025, had a game-high 31 disposals, seven score involvements and nine clearances. The 22-year-old was enormous in the last quarter as Brisbane stormed home late.
Bolton was presented the medal by Geelong champion and 2009 Norm Smith medallist Paul Chapman.
“I just want to say congrats to the Brisbane boys, you’ve been the benchmark for a couple of years now,” Bolton said on stage.
“To our boys, heads up. We’ll be back better and stronger. To our fans, thank you for coming out. Appreciate you all.”
FINAL VOTING TALLY
- Shai Bolton (Fremantle) – 10 votes (3,3,2,1,1)
- Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) – 6 votes (3,3)
- Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions) – 6 votes (3,2,1)
- Caleb Serong (Fremantle) – 4 votes (2,2)
- Hayden Young (Fremantle) – 3 votes (2,1)
- Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions) – 1 vote (1)
HOW THEY VOTED
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)
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails