Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir hailed Shai Bolton's latest influential performance after the star recruit led his side to a gritty 11-point upset of fast-finishing Gold Coast.
Bolton showcased his elite talent in wet and wild conditions, kicking three crucial goals in the Dockers' precious 11.9 (75) to 9.10 (64) win at People First Stadium on Saturday.
A third straight victory lifted Fremantle (7-5) into the top eight, while the Suns (8-3) suffered just their third loss of the season and first on home turf.
Highlighted as the Dockers' "barometer" by his former Richmond boss Damien Hardwick in the build-up to the game, Bolton lit up the front half of the ground with 20 disposals.
His late tackle on Nick Holman was every bit as important, directly leading to Jye Amiss's match-sealing goal in the final 30 seconds.
Fremantle kicked five of the first seven goals in a see-sawing contest that swung on stoppage control, and surged to a game-high 20-point lead early in the final term.
But the Suns rallied and registered the next five scoring shots to close within five points, before Bolton sparked the match-winning moment.
"He's happy to play whatever role we ask of him, and he played a little bit more forward today and had an influence in the front half," Longmuir said.
"He's been super. He's done everything we've asked him to do."
Shayne Hope - AAP
