Brisbane coach Chris Fagan and Fremantle counterpart Justin Longmuir collectively rated Norm Smith medallist Shai Bolton the fifth best player on the ground in the AFL grand final.
The Fremantle livewire became the first player in 21 years to win the grand final's best-on-ground medal in a losing team following the Dockers' heartbreaking 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) defeat to Brisbane on Saturday.
A two-time premiership player at Richmond, Bolton (10 votes) won from Dayne Zorko (six), Will Ashcroft (six), Caleb Serong (four), Hayden Young (three) and Charlie Cameron (one).
Ashcroft (31 disposals and nine clearances) had a case for a third medal in as many grand finals, racking up 12 disposals and four clearances in the final term.
In a consolation prize, the 22-year-old earned top votes from the decider for the AFL Coaches Association's Gary Ayres Award.
The star midfielder chalked up 13.5 votes from the game to beat Serong (12), Luke Jackson (six), Josh Dunkley (six), Bolton (4.5), Zorko (1.5) and Young (1.5).
Each competing coach votes 5-4-3-2-1 for the award across all finals apart from the wildcard matches, with the grand final receiving 1.5 times loading.
Ashcroft's stellar grand final performance clinched him the best finals player award for a second straight year, finishing on 27.5 votes to beat Serong (23) and Jackson (19).
"Winning this award once is a great achievement, but to back it up a year later is truly special," Ayres said.
The Norm Smith judging panel consisted of Adelaide legend Andrew McLeod - a two-time winner - Brownlow medallists Chris Judd and Michael Voss, four-time premiership player Shaun Burgoyne and respected journalist Lauren Wood.
The four former players were pictured watching the game from the stands, including McLeod with a beer in his hand.
Tight pack of greats - Ablett, Chapman, Judd, Pavlich, McLeod, Roos, Burgoyne. https://t.co/3J76QKqdE8
— Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane) September 26, 2026
Wood was the only panel member to award three votes to Ashcroft, with McLeod and Burgoyne unable to find room for him anywhere in their 3-2-1 ballots.
Bolton (26 possessions and nine score involvements) was surprised to hear his name called and took the medal off as he left the stage.
"I'm honoured to obviously get the award but to lose a grand final like that is one of the hardest things," the 27-year-old told reporters post-match.
"They came up to me early and obviously, you don't know, you don't look at the big screen and stuff or look at your stats, you just play football, and especially when you are trying to win the game, you're not looking at anything."
Other Norm Smith medallists from losing sides are Judd (2005), Nathan Buckley (2002), Gary Ablett Sr (1989) and Maurice Rioli (1982).
Australian Associated Press
