Boos ring out as Norm Smith Medal winner leaves everyone shocked
Boos rang out at the MCG when the Norm Smith Medal winner was revealed after Saturday’s AFL grand final.
Geelong legend Paul Chapman got on stage to present the coveted prize, but what came out of his mouth stunned pretty much everyone at the stadium and watching at home.
Shai Bolton in the grand final. AFL Photos
Fremantle livewire Shai Bolton collected the honours.
That is despite the fact his Dockers lost the game to Brisbane, after surrendering a 17-point lead and leaking four late goals to watch the club’s maiden premiership go up in smoke.
Loud boos rang out as Bolton made his way to the stage and even he looked like he didn’t want to be there.
“Congrats to the Brisbane boys, you’ve been the benchmark for a couple years now,” he said, after initially refusing to give an acceptance speech.
“To our boys, heads up. We’ll be back better and stronger.”
Bolton was electric in last week’s preliminary final against the Swans but his output in the grand final was far less impressive. He had five shots at goal and managed only two behinds.
He racked up 26 disposals, five tackles and two clearances. He did, however, top the fantasy points according to the AFL’s website... but you would hope the panel of expert voters wouldn’t make their judgements based on that.
The Norm Smith voting panel on Saturday was made up of former players Andrew McLeod, Shaun Burgoyne, Chris Judd, Lions great Michael Voss, and journalist Lauren Wood.
Ironically, the last player to win a Norm Smith Medal in a losing team was Judd in 2005, when his Eagles lost to the Swans.
Bolton is only the fifth player in history to win the grand final medal in a losing team.
Brisbane’s veteran antagonist Dayne Zorko could have easily won it, and was given the maximum three votes by both McLeod and Burgoyne, but was snubbed by the other three voters.
Shai Bolton took his medal off immediately. Seven
2026 Norm Smith Medal voting
Shai Bolton – 10 votes, Dayne Zorko – 6 votes, Will Ashcroft - 6 votes, Caleb Serong – 4 votes, Hayden Young – 3 votes, Charlie Cameron – 1 vote
Andrew McLeod votes: 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)
