Fremantle Dockers star Shai Bolton thrust into early Brownlow Medal calculations

Fremantle gun Shai Bolton is in early contention for the Brownlow Medal, according to a premiership player.

Speaking on the Hard Ball Gets podcast, former Hawthorn and West Coast player Xavier Ellis declared Dockers forward Shai Bolton as important to the Dockers’ midfield as both Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw after a blistering start to the 2026 campaign.

Bolton was one of the best Dockers afield in the club’s 60-point win over Richmond on Saturday with an equal career-high 33 disposals to go with five tackles, four clearances and 573 metres gained.

He was even more impressive the week before against Melbourne, gaining 32 disposals with two goals, nine clearances and 638 metres gained.

It’s garnered him 16 coaches votes in a fortnight, including a perfect 10 against the Demons, as his half-forward to midfield hybrid role becomes one of the AFL’s most important with the game continuing to increase in pace.

“The most important position on the ground in AFL football and the best players in the competition are playing half-forward/midfield,” Ellis said.

“Kozzy (Pickett) did 22 centre bounces, but 55 per cent of his football was in the front half. So, he’s obviously drifting forward after the centre bounces.

“And Shai Bolton (he’s in) Brownlow form.

“At the moment, he’d be leading the Brownlow. He’s gone six votes in the last two weeks.

“If Shai Bolton can keep doing what he’s doing, all of a sudden the importance of Serong’s quiet first half - Serong had a really good second half - Andy Brayshaw wasn’t like he was the week before, but it’s somewhat irrelevant because the damaging players are getting the football and being best on ground, which is what you want.

“I thought he was spectacular again.”

Fremantle are also in the enviable position of having stars such as Hayden Young still to return and Ellis said he hoped it didn’t restricted Bolton’s midfield minutes.

“I just look and think hopefully when Hayden Young comes back, somehow he needs to be back in there as well, but not at the cost of Bolton and (Murphy) Reid,” he said.

“Murphy Reid and Shai Bolton need to be in those centre bounces. They’re equally as important as Serong and a Brayshaw.”