Fremantle go all-in on push for maiden premiership with Shai Bolton deal but is ace still up Dockers’ sleeve?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. In a bid for a maiden premiership, Fremantle have gone all-in on Richmond star Shai Bolton, the missing piece in their elusive flag puzzle. Their war chest of three first-round picks, 10, 11 and 18, has been shipped to Punt Road in exchange for the dual premiership Tiger and pick 14. Bolton provides the spark the Dockers had missed this season. A fast forward who somehow finds a way to find the goals, can also push up the ground and have an impact running through the midfield. Combined with the talent already on Fremantle’s list, when fit and healthy, this deal brings in the match-winner. The Bobby Hill, the Kai Lohmann. The extra five per cent. The Dockers already have quality tall forwards in Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss, along with a fleet of role-playing smalls including Sam Switkowski, Michael Frederick and veteran Michael Walters. Led by captain Alex Pearce, key defender Brennan Cox and All-Australian Luke Ryan and complemented by the speed and agility of Jordan Clark, Heath Chapman and Brandon Walker, the back six is in good shape. The addition of Hayden Young as a full-time midfielder provides much-needed support for Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw, while Jeremy Sharp has slotted in on the wing nicely. Sean Darcy is the ruckman that can go up against the bigger bodies, while Luke Jackson is the athletic unicorn that becomes an extra midfielder when the ball hits the ground. Bolton improves an already strong list, one that should have made finals this season but missed by a whisker after the Dockers dropped off late, as their injury toll became too much. He is worth the price tag. But while three first-round picks is a lot to hand over, Fremantle have not sold the farm, at least not yet. The Dockers got a first-rounder (pick 14) back in a deep draft. They could use it on a talented kid, potentially Peel Thunder’s Bo Allan, if West Coast don’t swoop on him with pick 12. Or they could trade it away for some future picks and quietly build another strong draft hand in a bid to land Sydney star Chad Warner, who will be out of contract at the end of 2025. The introduction of trading future picks two years in advance will also help that bid. The Dockers have gone all-in on Bolton this season but they could still have an ace up their sleeve.

Fremantle go all-in on push for maiden premiership with Shai Bolton deal but is ace still up Dockers’ sleeve?

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