Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Shai Bolton has been awarded the Norm Smith Medal in a losing Fremantle side in a shock decision following Brisbane’s grand final victory at the MCG.
Bolton was superb with 26 disposals, nine score involvements and nine inside 50s as the Dockers led late in the AFL decider and appeared on track to claim their maiden premiership.
However, the Lions stormed home with the last four goals of the game to snatch a seven-point victory and record a historic three-peat on Saturday.
“I just want to say congrats to the Brisbane boys, you’ve been the benchmark for a couple of years now,” Bolton said.
“To our boys, heads up. We’ll be back better and stronger. To our fans, thank you for coming out. Appreciate you all.”
Bolton was judged the best player afield by the five-person panel, which is chaired by Norm Smith medallist and premiership player Andrew McLeod and includes West Coast premiership player Chris Judd.
Judd famously claimed the Norm Smith Medal in 2005, when Sydney defeated West Coast in a heart-stopping AFL decide, in what was an unpopular decision with Swans fans. A player has not won the Norm Smith in a losing side since Judd.
Brisbane three-time premiership captain Michael Voss, four-time premiership champion Shaun Burgoyne and Herald Sun journalist Lauren Wood made up the voting panel.
The Norm Smith Medal was presented by Geelong’s Paul Chapman.
SEE THE FINAL VOTES BELOW:
Shai Bolton (Fremantle) – 10 votes (3,3,2,1,1)Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) – 6 votes (3,3)Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions) – 6 votes (3,2,1)Caleb Serong (Fremantle) – 4 votes (2,2)Hayden Young (Fremantle) – 3 votes (2,1)Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions) – 1 vote (1)
Andrew McLeod (Chair) 3. Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) 2. Hayden Young (Fremantle) 1. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
Shaun Burgoyne 3. Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) 2. Shai Bolton (Fremantle) 1. Hayden Young (Fremantle)
Chris Judd 3. Shai Bolton (Fremantle) 2. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions) 1. Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions)
Michael Voss 3. Shai Bolton (Fremantle) 2. Caleb Serong (Fremantle) 1. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
Lauren Wood 3. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions) 2. Caleb Serong (Fremantle) 1. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
