Fremantle’s bold trade gamble on Shai Bolton paid off in a famous preliminary final win … but one All-Australian will want more on Grand Final day.

Foxfooty.com.au rates all 23 Fremantle players out of 10 from its preliminary final win over Sydney.

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3. CALEB SERONG

Huge midfield game from the star. Tried to lift his team with a nine-disposal second term when his team was up against it. Finished with 28 disposals, 10 clearances, 10 inside 50s and eight score involvements. 8

5. HEATH CHAPMAN

Great response after a couple of shaky finals. Looked to go to Hayden McLean when the game began then spent time on Jesse Dattoli. Finished with a team-high 10 intercepts to go with 20 disposals and six marks, with his fourth quarter particularly important. 7

6. JORDAN CLARK

Stood next to Braeden Campbell at the start of the match. Not as prolific as his qualifying final, but very important with his run and carry in the second half. 5

8. ANDREW BRAYSHAW

Fox Footy’s David King declared at half-time: “Twelve disposals, nothing to show for it.” But clearly had more impact in the second half, highlighted by an 11-disposal third term. Inspirational with his tackle pressure and ball-winning. Finished with 29 touches and six tackles, but just the two score involvements. 7

9. LUKE JACKSON

A funny game from the superstar, but took the ruck points in the end. Took Brodie Grundy inside 50 early and got a confidence boost, taking a contested mark and converting a set-shot goal. Also clapped in Grundy’s face after the Swan gave away a free kick — a taunt Grundy put down to “youthful exuberance”. But Grundy got on top at stoppage in the second quarter, prompting Fox Footy’s David King to suggest: “He’s getting embarrassed at the moment, Jackson.” Produced a huge goal after a pack mark in the third term. Grundy probably beat him around the ground, but Jackson had more scoreboard influence. 7

10. SHAI BOLTON

Into a third Grand Final — and he was a big reason why his team got over the line with an eight-disposal final term. Lifted in the second term with five crucial disposals. But was swung forward in the fourth term and did serious damage. Absolutely flushed a long-range set-shot for a goal at the start of the fourth term, prompting Dwayne Russell to declare on Fox Footy: “They made the big trade for moments like that.” Then marked and goaled from directly in front, prompting Fox Footy’s David King to declare: “This has been a great move by the coach … He’s come to the party, he’s come alive.” King was full of praise for Bolton post-match, telling Fox Footy: “That is why you go and get Shai Bolton. They gave up three first-round picks for Shai — and he delivers for you preliminary final night when you had to have it. That was unbelievable.” 8

13. LUKE RYAN

Put himself in the right spots at the right times late. Finished with 17 disposals, seven rebound 50s, four intercepts and 418m gained. 4

16. MURPHY REID

It wasn’t his night, but it was his moment in the last quarter. Manned up by Harry Kyle at the start of the game, but Fox Footy’s Jack Riewoldt said some of his early kicks “have just been off”, while fellow commentator David King suggested Reid could’ve gone harder at a few contests in the first half. King said: “It’s been a waste of time him getting the ball.” But his cleanliness in the fourth term was crucial, with a slick handball setting up Isaiah Dudley’s match-winner. 3

17. JUDD MCVEE

Exposed badly by Tom Papley early but fought back valiantly. A costly early lapse left Papley unchecked at a forward 50 stoppage, leading to a big Swans goal for the little star. Fox Footy’s David King declared: “That is a calamitous mistake defensively.” But hit back admirably in the second half, playing Papley much tighter, personified by a great chase on Papley in the final four minutes of the game. 4

18. MASON COX

Took two early contested marks, but alarming signs after being beaten in a couple of early one-on-one battles. Then when he was asked to ruck in the second term, he was seen struggling to keep up with Hayden McLean. Fox Footy’s Jack Riewoldt said: “He’s been ragdolled tonight, Mason Cox.” But when he went forward in the last quarter, marked strongly and kicked the goal that put Fremantle in front for the first time since the opening term, his selection was all worthwhile. 4

20. PATRICK VOSS

What a fightback. Had Dane Rampe on him and didn’t touch the footy in the first term — and didn’t register his first disposal until the half-time siren, which only came via a free kick. Got himself into the game at the start of the third quarter with a busy term across half-forward, but missed a crucial late set-shot. Then delivered a jaw-dropping moment in the fourth term, executing a brutal don’t argue inside 50 — David King declared it “the fend of the year” — then effortlessly drilling a brilliant checkside goal to get Freo within two kicks. Was crucial late. 5

21. OSCAR MCDONALD

Had the match-up on namesake, Logan McDonald. Started well with his intercept and rebound early, but Logan quickly got on top and finished with a game-high three goals. Did have an inspirational moment late when he hit the deck hard to thwart a Swans scoring opportunity. 4

23. KARL WORNER

Ran with Billy Cootee early. Had 14 disposals across the back half. 5

24. JYE AMISS

Joel Hamling stood next to him early. A statless first quarter before a couple of set-shot opportunities in the second, yet neither of them registered a goal. Pulled off a brilliant moment early in the third term, gathering an awkward ball cleanly inside 50 then snapping a classy goal. Competed well in the fourth term when the game was up for grabs. 3

25. ALEX PEARCE

As expected, went to the dangerous Charlie Curnow and held the Coleman Medallist to one goal. Put his team on his back in the fourth quarter with a couple of big marks and defensive moments. Had six intercepts. 6

26. HAYDEN YOUNG

That’s why the Dockers simply had to get his body right and primed for September. Came off the bench and had a busy seven-disposal first quarter, but some wayward kicks inside 50 mucthe Dockers’ lack of midfield-forward connection. Big moment in the second term, showing great strength and composure then drilling a perfect handball to Isaiah Dudley, who kicked a goal. A costly error in the third term led to a Swans goal when Freo had momentum … but gave the Dockers the ultimate lift on the three quarter-time siren with a stunning set-shot goal that essentially kickstarted the Dockers’ surge. Had several big moments that led to Freo scores in a fourth quarter where he had a team-high eight disposals. Best on ground in a famous Freo victory. 8

28. NEIL ERASMUS

Started on a wing next to Matt Roberts. Brilliantly snapped the first goal of the game on his left boot. Finished with 17 disposals. 5

32. MICHAEL FREDERICK

Inspirational workrate. Had Sam Wicks for company early. Caught Harry Kyle in a crunching tackle in the second term to win a holding the ball free kick, before nailing a much-needed goal amid Sydney’s surge. Fox Footy’s David King said: “This guy is working himself into the ground defensively and putting himself in the position.” Almost pulled off a stunning running goal in the fourth term after showing incredible dash from the wing, too. Laid five tackles. 6

34. COREY WAGNER

Started on the bench then slotted onto a wing. Worked hard across the flanks and wing to provide an outlet all night, finishing with 16 disposals. 4

35. JOSH TREACY

Not his night with Tom McCartin for company. Terrific chase forced an Errol Gulden error and led to Neil Erasmus’ first goal, but was arguably his sole highlight for the game. Fox Footy’s Jack Riewoldt said: “He’s an absolute aerial beast through the home and away season — and he’s been nowhere in the air.” Competed well in the fourth term when the Dockers needed him, but the coach will want a bigger game from him in the Grand Final. 2

39. SAM SWITKOWSKI

Manned up by Jake Lloyd. Lifted at the start of the fourth term with his energy at the contest, but ultimately didn’t lay a tackle or kick a goal. 4

43. ISAIAH DUDLEY

The match-winner. Kicked a goal against the Swans’ momentum in the second term, but minutes later burnt a couple of teammates with a wasteful kick inside 50. But his speed, cleanliness and workrate under pressure late were crucial. Missed a set-shot goal, but got on the end of a Murphy Reid handball late and slammed the ball through the goals and into the grandstand to seal a famous Fremantle win. 7

44. MATTHEW JOHNSON

Started on a wing next to the returning Justin McInerney. A good all-round game, finishing with 19 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six tackles and five inside 50s. 6