Fremantle Dockers have bestowed a significant honour upon star recruit Shai Bolton, confirming he will wear the club's iconic No.10 guernsey for the 2026 AFL season.
A Legacy Passed On
The revered jumper was vacated following the retirement of club champion Michael Walters at the end of the 2025 season. Walters, affectionately known as 'Sonny', wore the No.10 in 218 of his 329 games for Fremantle, cementing its status as a fan favourite. The 33-year-old called time on his illustrious career after missing the entire 2025 campaign due to a persistent knee injury.
Bolton, who crossed from Richmond at the end of 2024, wore the No.15 in his debut season for the Dockers. During his time with the Tigers, he was synonymous with the No.29, which he donned for 135 AFL games.
A Special Bond and a Fitting Farewell
Despite only sharing one season together at Fremantle, Bolton and Walters formed a close connection. This bond was highlighted in Round 18 of the 2025 season, when Bolton and teammate Michael Frederick chaired Walters off the ground following a victory over Hawthorn. The win was a deliberate and emotional send-off for the retiring legend.
"We wanted to get that win for him. He's a legend of Fremantle and we'll miss him," Bolton told The West Australian after the match. "I'm glad we got that win for him. Everyone played their role tonight, and it was all for Sonny, so it was good."
Joining an Exclusive List
By accepting the No.10, Shai Bolton becomes just the sixth player in Fremantle's history to wear the number. He follows in the footsteps of a distinguished group: Michael Walters, Nick Lower, Rhys Palmer, Troy Cook, and Stephen O'Reilly.
The decision signals the club's immense faith in Bolton's ability to carry on the legacy of the jumper and become a central figure in Fremantle's future. It places him at the heart of the team's identity as they build towards their next premiership challenge.
