Shai Bolton and Isaiah Dudley share a mutual admiration as they gear up to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round at Optus Stadium. Fremantle will take on St Kilda under Friday night lights, with the Dockers adopting the name Walyalup and the Saints becoming Euro-Yroke for the Indigenous Round clash.
Dudley and Bolton have been key additions since joining the Dockers last season, bringing energy, skill, pressure, and goals to the team. "I love playing with Duds," Bolton said. "He does the little things and gets in and under. He's a super special player. The club drafted him for a reason. This year he has got fitter and he's in shape. He's playing his best footy. He's one of our top pressure players. That's what we love about him."
Both players performed well in the first weekend of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with Dudley kicking one goal and Bolton shining in the midfield. Dudley said he has learned a lot from the former Richmond star. "He's obviously been in super form. The way he attacks training and the way he sets his week up show why he's been performing well on game day. It's a credit to him," Dudley said.
The significance of Sir Doug Nicholls Round is such that Dudley is preparing for several family members to travel from South Australia to Perth to be at Optus Stadium. He said he grew up hoping to play AFL and be part of the celebration of Indigenous culture.
Bolton's record during Indigenous Round underscores its importance to him. He was best on ground when Dreamtime at the G was played in Darwin in 2020, and his performances against Essendon were always strong before returning to Western Australia. He was also best on ground during Indigenous Round last season, tallying 24 disposals and kicking 3.3 in Fremantle's interstate victory over GWS.
Bolton is eagerly looking forward to Friday night. "It means a lot to my family and me," Bolton said. "It's a special round, and we love playing in it, especially us Indigenous mob. All of our family gets to come and watch it. We all come together and watch. It is super special. (Sunday's game against Essendon) was obviously an away game, but all of our family were watching. I feel proud to play AFL football as an Indigenous kid. I love playing in those games. If I can play my best, I try."
