Shai Bolton wins Norm Smith Medal despite Fremantle loss

sportsSep 26, 20263379

Shai Bolton won the 2026 Norm Smith Medal despite Fremantle losing the AFL grand final to the Brisbane Lions 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) at the MCG. Bolton polled 10 votes from the selection panel, edging Lions pair Dayne Zorko and Will Ashcroft who received six votes each. Bolton finished with 26 disposals, 686 metres gained and nine score involvements, and accepted the medal from 2009 winner Paul Chapman saying, "To our boys, heads up, we'll be back better and stronger." Bolton is the first player from a losing team to win the Norm Smith in 21 years and one of only five ever, joining Maurice Rioli (1982), Gary Ablett Sr (1989), Nathan Buckley (2002) and Chris Judd (2005). Will Ashcroft produced a fourth-quarter masterclass, finishing with 31 disposals and nine clearances as the Lions overturned a 17-point deficit sparked when Patrick Voss put Fremantle ahead. Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong had 24 disposals and 13 clearances, finishing fourth in the Norm Smith voting with four votes.

Greg Jericho

@grogsgamut.bsky.social

They did the votes for the Norm Smith with about 4min to go, right?

342h ago

Rɪᴄʜᴀʀᴅ Tᴜꜰꜰɪɴ ᵃᵘ ᶜᵇʳ ᶜᶠᶜ2

I remember whey they did it with 10 to go for the 2002 and I think it was Vossy had an absolute blinding last 5 minutes and was robbed.

Gazometer1

Usually 20 minute mark of the last

Kerrie West1

Serong was better than him.

crankyofcroydon.bsky.social1

Because playing well for 5 minutes means more than playing well for 75?

ABC News Australia

@news.abc.net.au

Dockers star Shai Bolton wins Norm Smith Medal in AFL grand final loss to Lions

71h ago

Louis Schetzer PhD 🍉

@schetz1.bsky.social

This is the 9th time the Norm Smith medal has been awarded to a First Nations player 🖤💛❤️ #AFLGF

41h ago

Niall

@niallau.bsky.social

IMO - They should award the Norm Smith medal to the first player that punches Lachie Neale in the stomach behind play. 🤔 #AFLGF #AFLFreoLions #AFL

55h ago

Floofy with a Chance of Spanakopita

@floofytyrant.bsky.social

YES SHAI BOLTON ABSOLUTELY DESERVES THE NORM SMITH! FABULOUS. #AFLGF #DockersLions

52h ago

ESPN Australia

@espnaustralia.bsky.social

Fremantle's Shai Bolton takes home the Norm Smith Medal 💜 A truly valiant performance from Bolton and the Dockers in their thrilling #AFLGF loss to Brisbane.

42h ago

David Rafferty

@davidrafferty.bsky.social

Bolton a little surprising for Norm Smith. Not wrong - there wasn’t a clear standout BOG. I would have gone Zorko or Young personally. But Bolton was good.

32h ago

Warwick Long

@warwicklong.bsky.social

The flying around the G does it for me. Elite. This is one of the great Grand Final performances. Give Kylie the Norm Smith.

35h ago

disgraced wellness blogger

@dryobbo.bsky.social

Old mate birding the camera with blood visibly dribbling from his temple for the Norm Smith

22h ago

Resident Weevil

@danielhall.bsky.social

Oh my god Bolton won the Norm Smith for Fremantle

22h ago

m0nty (handy point enjoyer)

@paulmontgomery.bsky.social

Rain doesn’t help either side in the #AFLGF. Would like to see Freo win but Brisbane should start favourites. Darcy Fort the key for mine, has the job in front of him quelling Jackson. Prediction: Brisbane by 25 points, Charlie Cameron gets Norm Smith with a big bag.

25h ago