STAR Fremantle recruit Shai Bolton is “energised” by the prospect of playing regularly in front of his family and friends in 2025 but is not putting any pressure on himself to reach career-best levels at his second club.
Bolton, who regularly lifted as a Richmond player when visiting Optus Stadium, is two weeks into his pre-season at the Dockers and is already impressing with his skill and forward nous on the track.
“In Melbourne I only really had my partner, and my family would come over to maybe the Dreamtime game,” Bolton said on Monday.
“So just that feeling that my son and my family and my cousins and everyone’s there, it kind of just feels like playing junior football and you just go out, be free and have fun.
“All your family are in the stands, and I just feel like I’m energised and it just feels good.”
Asked if his return to WA could bring out the best football of his career, Bolton said he didn’t want to put too much pressure on himself and would focus on connecting with his new teammates.
The dual premiership Tiger said he was prepared to play any role required at Fremantle, with the expectation that he will increase the team’s firepower in a small forward or midfield-forward role.
“I think it’s a good culture here. They always messaged me, and I had a meeting with them before. It was a pretty easy decision on my end,” Bolton said.
“I supported them as a young fella and idolised ‘Son Son’.
“We had the Indigenous camp a while ago, and he’s always kept in contact with me, even through the season last year.”
Walters was the star during a gruelling training session on Monday, setting the standard in his 18th pre-season as the Dockers trained for close to three hours in hot weather.
Vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw copped a corked quad late in the session that required him to leave the track, while midfield teammate Hayden Young was managed after an interrupted off-season following a fractured fibula.
SANFL small forwards Isaiah Dudley and Baynen Lowe joined the team for the first time as they hope to win a list spot through the supplemental selection period after ruckman Odin Jones was placed on the long-term injury list.
AIS Academy players Cody Curtin (Claremont), who is the younger brother of Adelaide’s Dan Curtin, and Fred Rodriguez (South Fremantle) also joined training as part of a placement at the Dockers this week.
