Shai Bolton is set to join Fremantle this morning after the Dockers and Richmond reached an agreement to send the dual premiership forward to the west. In exchange, Fremantle will give up picks 10, 11, and 18, while receiving Bolton, pick 14, and a future third-round selection. The trade will be finalized when the final day of the trade period opens at 11am.
Richmond initially sought picks 10 and 11 for Bolton, while Fremantle wanted to only give picks 10 and 18. A compromise was reached with Fremantle obtaining pick 14, which Richmond acquired from Carlton in a three-club trade with West Coast the previous day, following Liam Baker’s departure.
West Coast reportedly expressed late interest in Bolton on Wednesday as negotiations between Fremantle and Richmond over picks stalled. After securing Baker, the Eagles explored options to acquire Bolton, which prompted Fremantle to adjust their stance on sliding back from pick 11 to 14, but only with additional compensation.
This deal ensures Fremantle keeps a first-round pick in this year’s highly-rated draft or allows them the option to trade it for future selections, positioning themselves for a potential move on Sydney star Chad Warner when he comes out of contract next year.
Shai Bolton, 25, has signed a five-year contract with Fremantle after playing 135 games and scoring 165 goals for Richmond. He was originally drafted with pick 29 in 2016. Bolton’s father, Darren, played two games for Fremantle in 1999, making Shai the first player in Dockers history to follow in his father’s footsteps at the club.
The 2022 All-Australian forward will strengthen Fremantle’s already impressive forward line, joining key players like Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy, and ruck-forward Luke Jackson.
Following the trade, Fremantle now holds picks 14, 30, and 67 in this year’s draft.