Fremantle Dockers training notes: Shai Bolton, Murphy Reid, Charlie Nicholls, Aiden Riddle and more

SHAI, RATTLE AND ROLL It might be 105 days til Fremantle launches its 2025 season in Geelong, but they have already had their first “win”, with the club unveiling prize recruit Shai Bolton on the training track for the first time on Friday. The electric forward-cum-midfielder looked lean beneath a grey Dockers cap as he met the squad for the first time. He took part in the two-hour session which featured kicking and handball drills and was engaged in conversation with vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw and veterans Nat Fyfe and Jaeger O’Meara. There was one short lace-out pass to Jye Amiss and some goalkicking practice. He also took part in half-ground match simulation late in the session, before stretching down on the fence. Bolton only arrived in WA from Melbourne on Wednesday night, toured the club’s Cockburn facilities for the first time on Thursday before Friday’s first training session, which was followed by lunch with the squad. WELCOME ABOARDAfter sitting out Monday’s session which marked the return of the main group, draftees Murphy Reid, Charlie Nicholls and Aiden Riddle were given fitness clearances and made their first appearances with the Dockers on Friday. The Dockers selected Reid with pick 17 in the draft after he’d rocketed into first-round contention with an eye-catching season with Sandringham Dragons and Vic Metro, where he was named the side’s MVP and earned a spot in the All-Australian side. At 18 and 181cm, he looks compact, classy and was not overawed by the company of elite Dockers. He trained alongside the taller Riddle, 199cm and Nicholls, 197cm, before spending the latter part of the session together in a small group on the boundary line, where they were joined by Jaren Carr, who was also scooped up in the draft as a father-son pick. The son of former Docker Matthew, he took out one of three 1km time-trials on Monday after spending time with Nathan O’Driscoll in an out-of-season running program. Former Port Adelaide and Geelong forward/midfielder Quinton Narkle was picked up by the Dockers in the Supplemental Selection Period, trained for just over an hour on the oval on Friday after he split his time on Monday watching training and working out in the gym. DARCY’S NEXT STEPS Ruckman Sean Darcy walked and jogged laps as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. He will gradually build up to full fitness and is not expected to train fully with the main group til after Christmas as he completes a rehabilitation program personalised by a bio-mechanist. Forward Sam Sturt was also limited to run throughs and laps. THE BIG O The Dockers will also be encouraged by the appearance of former Carlton and Melbourne defender Oscar McDonald, who suffered a knee injury in round one last season, and while he avoided an ACL did not play again. He looks to have returned in elite shape and will provide defensive cover for tall backs Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan.