Point to prove: Dockers star primed for Cats clash

Fremantle’s “once-in-a-generation” star Shai Bolton is being tipped to bounce back with a vengeance when he takes on Geelong in Friday night’s AFL semi-final blockbuster in Perth.

The Dockers are staring down the barrel of a straight-sets finals exit after the minor premiers suffered a shock 32-point loss to Hawthorn in last week’s qualifying final.

Bolton, who completed a high-profile trade from Richmond to Fremantle two years ago, tallied just four disposals in the first half as Hawthorn skipped out to a 33-point lead.

And although the 27-year-old was busier in the second half to finish with 21 disposals for the match, he lacked his usual impact and was heavily criticised after the match.

Star Dockers ruckman Luke Jackson has no doubt Bolton, one of five Fremantle players named in this year’s All-Australian side, will rebound strongly against Geelong at a sold-out Optus Stadium.

“Absolutely. Bolts is a once-in-a-generation player,” Jackson said.

“He might have had a quieter game against Hawthorn, but I’ve got full confidence in someone like Bolts to come out and play the game he knows he can.

“He’s one of my favourite players to tap to. It’ll be good to just see Bolts play off instinct and play free, because that’s when we’re at our best.”

Playing with freedom is something Fremantle were renowned for during the regular season as they compiled a club-record 19 wins.

But it abandoned them in the cauldron of finals football last week – a disappointing outcome the Dockers have addressed in the wake of the loss.

Part of that pledge to play with freedom when they take on the Cats is Fremantle players being given a licence to take on the tackler.

“I feel like that’s when we play our best footy – when we’re taking the game on, really bursting through tackles,” Jackson said.

“It’s going to be a very physical game. We know that, but we love a physical game, and we’ll definitely be up for it.”

With Sean Darcy copping a painful knock to the knee in the WAFL last week, Mason Cox will again take on the back-up ruck role to Jackson as Fremantle try to keep their premiership hopes alive.

Cox was restricted to five hit-outs and four possessions against the Hawks, but Jackson says the former Collingwood ruckman is having a significant influence.

“I think for Coxy, it (his impact) might not show on the stat sheet with him,” Jackson said.

“I feel like he’s come in and done his role and impacted in the ruck, and then he’s taking marks in the backline. He’s been a great get for us.”

AAP

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