Fremantle mid-forward Shai Bolton maintained his explosive start to the season by winning the Arthur Leggett Medal as best-afield in last night’s 14-point victory in the Len Hall Tribute Game at Optus Stadium.

Bolton had his third 30-plus possession games to go with another above 20 in the first seven rounds.

He had 33 possessions against the Blues and had 15 of them in the final term to go with two early goals from 50m that put distance between the Dockers and the Blues.

Bolton also had nine inside 50s to finish with 11 votes.

“It’s an honour to play in those games and I’m super grateful,” Bolton said.

“The round pays tribute to all the Anzacs who fought for Australia – it’s important and we love playing in it.”

There were 54,100 fans in attendance, a record for a Len Hall Tribute Game and the second-highest non-derby home and away crowd.

Bolton said his two final-term goals were kicked on instinct, but in retrospect he could have passed them off to teammates.

“I should have passed them off to be honest. I kicked them from 50 but there were probably a couple players in the corridor,” he said.

“But I just try to play to my strengths.”

A dual premiership player at Richmond, Bolton is relishing more midfield minutes after filling the void created by Hayden Young’s injury earlier in the season.

He told The West Australian earlier this season one of the most significant differences in 2026 has been the change to Fremantle’s game plan and the increased speed of AFL.

“I feel like I play my best when I am around the footy. I like playing forward as well. I like kicking a couple of goals. It’s probably just a little bit more mid than forward,” he said.

“It takes time with a lot of people when you come to a new club and the system is a bit different.

“This year, we are playing a bit faster, which is good. In general, I think the AFL is playing a bit fast. It’s the same as Richmond. We played pretty chaotic footy and pretty fast. It takes time.”

Arthur Leggett was WA’s last surviving WWII prisoner of war, who died in 2025 at the age of 106.

He fought in Libya, Greece and Crete as a member of the 2/11th Battalion, 6th Division.

He was captured during the Battle of Crete at just 22 years old, held captive for four years and survived the infamous 900km Lamsdorf Death March.

He later served 29 years as president of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association WA.

FULL ARTHUR LEGGETT MEDAL VOTING

Will Schofield (Fox Sports)

3: Luke Jackson (FRE)

2: Shai Bolton (FRE)

1: Andrew Brayshaw (FRE)

Paul Hasleby (6PR)

3: Shai Bolton (FRE)

2: Luke Jackson (FRE)

1: Sam Walsh (CAR)

Eliza Reilly (CODE)

3: Shai Bolton (FRE)

2: Luke Jackson (FRE)

1: Sam Walsh (CAR)

Sharrod Wellingham (ABC)

3: Shai Bolton (FRE)

2: Luke Jackson (FRE)

1: Sam Walsh (CAR)

TOTAL

11: Shai Bolton

9: Luke Jackson

3: Sam Walsh

1: Andrew Brayshaw