Shock as Dockers Star Wins Norm Smith in Losing Side
Bolton earned best-afield honors with 26 disposals and nine score involvements as Brisbane completed a seven-point win and historic three-peat.
- On Saturday, Fremantle's Shai Bolton won the Norm Smith Medal despite his team's seven-point loss to the Brisbane Lions at the MCG.
- The Brisbane Lions secured a historic three-peat victory after storming home with the final four goals, overcoming the Dockers in the AFL grand final.
- Recording 26 disposals, nine score involvements, and nine inside 50s, Bolton delivered a standout performance that justified the medal despite the result.
- A five-person panel chaired by Andrew McLeod, including West Coast premiership player Chris Judd, Brisbane Lions captain Michael Voss, four-time premiership champion Shaun Burgoyne, and journalist Lauren Wood, judged Bolton best afield.
- Bolton said, "We'll be back better and stronger," congratulating the Brisbane Lions as the benchmark side while thanking Fremantle fans for their support.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Shai Bolton wins 2026 Norm Smith Medal
Shai Bolton has won the Norm Smith Medal, taking the individual honour despite his Dockers losing a thrilling grand final to the Brisbane Lions by seven points.
Surprise Docker wins Norm Smith in losing team
Fremantle star Shai Bolton has become the first player in 21 years to win the Norm Smith Medal in a losing team. Minutes after suffering a heartbreaking 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) defeat to Brisbane, where Fremantle were overrun in the closing stages, gun Docker Bolton was as surprised as anyone to hear his name called. “To our boys, heads up, we’ll be back better and stronger,” Bolton said after former Cats champion Paul Chapman presented the med…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium













