Shai Bolton claims 2026 Norm Smith medal

The 2026 Norm Smith Medallist has been announced, with Shai Bolton claiming the best on-ground medal.

The five judges consisted of Shaun Burgoyne, Chris Judd, Michael Voss, Lauren Wood and were chaired by Andrew McLeod. It is the second year in a row that the two-time winner of the same award has chaired the voting panel.

Bolton was awarded the medal by Paul Chapman, who received it during Geelong's victory in the 2009 AFL Grand Final.

See the votes below.

Votes breakdown (Using 3-2-1 system)

• Shai Bolton - 10 votes (3,3,2,1,1)
• Dayne Zorko - 6 votes (3,3)
• Will Ashcroft - 6 votes (3,2,1)
• Caleb Serong - 4 votes (2,2)
• Hayden Young - 3 votes (2,1)
• Charlie Cameron - 1 votes (1)

Votes by each panellist

Andrew McLeod (Chair)

• 3 - Dayne Zorko (BRI)
• 2 - Hayden Young (FRE)
• 1 - Shai Bolton (FRE)

Shaun Burgoyne

• 3 - Dayne Zorko (BRI)
• 2 - Shai Bolton (FRE)
• 1 - Hayden Young (FRE)

Chris Judd

• 3 - Shai Bolton (FRE)
• 2 - Will Ashcroft (BRI)
• 1 - Charlie Cameron (BRI)

Michael Voss

• 3 - Shai Bolton (FRE)
• 2 - Caleb Serong (FRE)
• 1 - Will Ashcroft (BRI)

Lauren Wood

• 3 - Will Ashcroft (BRI)
• 2 - Caleb Serong (FRE)
• 1 - Shai Bolton (FRE)