Fremantle star Shai Bolton produced one of his best performance in Dockers colours as his team powered to a commanding 48-point win over Melbourne at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
The dual Richmond premiership player was instrumental in the 17.16 (118) to 10.10 (70) victory, finishing with 32 disposals, nine clearances, 10 inside-50s, two goals and a game-high 638 metres gained.
With Hayden Young sidelined through injury, Bolton spent more time through the midfield and made a major impact in every aspect of the game in what was a brilliant all-round display.
He provided Fremantle with drive, class and creativity, repeatedly launching the Dockers forward and helping them gain the ascendency around the stoppages.
One of the standout moments of the night came when Bolton gathered the ball on the wing, took two bounces and nailed a brilliant 55m goal on the run.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was full of praise for the 27-year-old after the match.
"It was up there with his better games for the club, absolutely," Longmuir said.
"I thought he was tremendous - more midfield time tonight because of Young's injury, and I thought he was effective in all phases of the game, and impacted in all phases of the game and all roles he played."
For the second consecutive week, Fremantle burst from the blocks and put the game on their terms early.
The Dockers slammed on seven goals to one in a dominant opening quarter to open up a 42-point lead at the first change, overwhelming Melbourne with its pressure, run and ball movement.
The Dockers went inside 50 a remarkable 25 times to seven in the first term, setting up a lead the Demons were never able to peg back.
Small forward Isaiah Dudley was another Indigenous player to make a strong impact, finishing with three goals from 15 disposals.
Dudley looked dangerous throughout the night and made the most of his opportunities in attack, with all three of his goals coming in the third quarter as Fremantle again surged.
His pressure and energy at ground level added another spark to an already dangerous forward line.
Fremantle also took another positive from the match, with skipper Alex Pearce coming through unscathed again after battling a calf issue throughout the pre-season.
With the result well in Fremantle's control, Pearce spent most of the final term on the bench as a precaution.
"Yeah he played more game up to three quarter time than what he played last week and given the game was in our control ... it made sense that we nurse him through," Longmuir told reporters post-match.
