AFL trade period: Shai Bolton to become first-ever son of a former Dockers player to line up for Fremantle

Shai Bolton may well be the missing piece Fremantle needs to contend for a premiership, but he’ll also be a history-maker when he dons the purple for the first time.

Bolton sealed his move from Richmond to the Dockers on Wednesday morning, with Freo giving up picks 10,11 and 18 to get the two-time premiership player along with pick 14 and a future third-rounder.

When he takes to the field next season, the 25-year-old will become the first-ever son of a former Freo player to also represent the Dockers, following in the footsteps of his father Darren.

Darren played two AFL games for Fremantle in his sole season at the top level in 1999, where he shared a spot on the list with current Dockers coach Justin Longmuir.

It came in the midst of an accomplished career for Peel at WAFL level, which included snaring the club’s best-and-fairest prize in 1998.

Shai was born just weeks after Darren secured that honour, before rising to become a star at Richmond and a key component of the club’s back-to-back premierships in 2019 and 2020.

The new Docker said becoming the first father-son duo to represent the club made the shift even more special.

“It’s super exciting, I grew up — me and my Pop — supporting Freo and it’s just a surreal feeling that I’m finally going to be playing in the purple,” he said.

“Also that my Dad played, it’s even more exciting, to keep it in the family. I just can’t wait to get stuck in.”

The Dockers have never had the son of an ex-player line up in purple in an AFL game, despite some near-misses.

Dillon O’Reilly - son of inaugural Freo defender Stephen - was on the list in 2019 and 2020 but couldn’t break through for a debut.

Andrew McGovern’s sons Jeremy and Mitch have carved out careers at rival AFL clubs, while Jaspa Fletcher (son of Adrian) and Ed Allan (son of Ben) are establishing their careers away from the WA club. Brad Bootsma’s son Josh also played 14 games for Carlton.

But with Bolton set to ignite Freo next season, they’ll finally have a son-of-a-gun to call their own.