Bolton claims bittersweet Norm Smith on heartbreaking afternoon for Dockers

Jarred Cross Published September 26, 2026 at 5.00pm (AWST)

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Shai Bolton became the eighth First Nations player to claim a Norm Smith medal after his best on ground performance in the AFL Grand Final on Saturday. (Image: James Ross/AAP)

His side lead with less than five minutes on the clock, and Shai Bolton goes home with a medal around his neck, but it was heartbreak for the Norm Smith medallist on Saturday afternoon.

Bolton's 26 touches and use of the foot was enough to see him join illustrious company, and force the first handing over of the best on ground award to a member of the losing side in more than two decades.

His two behinds might be the only blip from his performance, with the big disappointment being on the wrong end of a four-straight run of goals which saw Brisbane win their third premiership in as many years.

Charlie Cameron kicked three majors in the 14.12 (96) - 12.17 (89) win for the Lions.

In 1982, Maurice Rioli Snr became the first First Nations player to be judged best on field in the deciding game of the season.

Bolton becomes the eighth.

*Paul Chapman awards Fremantle's Shai Bolton the Norm Smith Medal after his side was dealt heartbreak in the 2026 AFL Grand Final. (Image: James Ross)*

Peter Matera (1992), Michael Long (1993), Andrew McLeod (1997,98), Byron Pickett (2004), Cyril Rioli (2015) and Bobby Hill (2023) came in between.

Each of those did so while also being able to lift the premiership cup.

In 2005, Chris Judd was awarded the Norm Smith after the Swans snapped a 72-year drought to win over his Eagles by four points.

It was Judd, alongside Michael Voss, a part of Brisbane's previous three-peat between 2001-03, who gave Bolton three votes for his performance.

Bolton earned a vote from all five panellists, claiming the honour with 10 votes, followed by Dayne Zorko and Will Ashcroft (6), Dockers teammates Caleb Serong (4) and Hayden Young (3), and Charlie Cameron (1).

The 27-year-old had been creative with his 13 touches at half time, trailing only Zorko as the game's leading ball getters with scores squared at 43-all.

He doubled it by full time, along with a score assist, two clearances and five tackles.

Only Will Ashcroft, who could have won three straight Norm Smiths, beat him for possessions earned across the ground with 31.

Bolton could've hit the scoreboard a couple of times, including when he strolled inside 50 on his own before kicking across the face.

Chasing their first premiership after more than three decades, the Dockers held a three goal lead with just over four minutes on the clock in front of 100,023 people at the 'G.

Bolton has premiership medals in his draw, winning two with Richmond in 2019 and 2020.