Bolton likely to miss Fremantle's opening-round clash

Jackson Clark Published March 13, 2025 at 5.30am (AWST)

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Dockers new recruit Shai Bolton is likely to miss the club's Round 1 clash against Geelong. Image: AFL.

Fremantle's star recruit Shai Bolton is likely to miss the club's season-opener against Geelong at Kardinia Park on Saturday.

Bolton faced a fitness test on a sore right leg but failed to complete the club's main training yesterday.

The 26-year-old was put through his paces but looked limited with his movement and regularly left the track to be assessed.

Bolton has a stress response in his leg, but Dockers coach Justin Longmuir told media during the week that the injury sounds worse than what it actually is.

"If he doesn't get up this week, we'd be confident he'll be right next week," Longmuir said.

"We won't take any risks with him, but it's on the minor end of the injury. I think he's feeling pretty good."

Bolton joined the club via Richmond in what was one of the most highly-publicised moves of last year's AFL Trade Period.

The two-time premiership player also suffered a minor calf strain in February and was forced to play just 30 per cent game time in the Indigenous All-Stars clash.

However, Bolton was able to demonstrate his class during Fremantle's AAMI Community Series match against Melbourne earlier this month, finishing with two goals while rotating through the midfield in the Dockers' 19-point win.

Former Richmond player Shai Bolton in his new colours. (Image: Fremantle Football Club)

Veteran forward Michael Walters was also assessed during training yesterday.

"His form is proven, we'll just see how he goes today," Longmuir said prior to the session.

"He won't do as much as Shai (Bolton), but he needs to be able to do something to put his hand up (for selection)."

Walters was one of the Dockers' shining lights against Melbourne finishing with three goals before copping a knock to his knee late in the match.

"Sonny (Walters) was a contact injury against Melbourne, which you can't control," Fremantle football boss Joe Brierty said during the week.

Fremantle captain Alex Pearce also remains under an injury cloud with an ankle complaint and was listed as a test on the AFL's injury list released yesterday.

In other injury news, Essendon small forward Alwyn Davey Jnr is nearing a return after increasing his running loads at training.

Davey underwent surgery on an injured meniscus that he suffered earlier in the pre-season.