{
  "id": 9948159,
  "title": "Surprised Docker wins Norm Smith Medal in losing grand final team",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/surprised-docker-wins-norm-smith-medal-in-losing-grand-final-team",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T08:34:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-26/afl-grand-final-dockers-lions-shai-bolton-norm-smith-medal/107199694"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fremantle's Shai Bolton has won the Norm Smith Medal, despite his team losing the grand final to Brisbane Lions. Bolton is the first player from a losing team to receive this award in 21 years. After a heartbreaking 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) defeat, Bolton was as surprised as anyone to hear his name called. He polled 10 votes from the selection panel, ahead of Lions players Dayne Zorko and Will Ashcroft, who each received six votes. Bolton, who had 26 disposals, covered 686 metres, and involved in nine scoring plays, expressed his excitement after 2009 winner Paul Chapman presented the medal.",
  "summary": "The Norm Smith Medal is awarded to a player from the losing side in an AFL grand final for the first time in 21 years.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Roaring Lions make it three in a row in an all-time classic grand final, breaking Docker hearts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/roaring-lions-make-it-three-in-a-row-in-an-all-time-classic-grand-9935360",
        "published": "2026-09-26T07:17:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Roaring Lions make it three in a row in an all-time classic grand final, breaking Docker hearts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/roaring-lions-make-it-three-in-a-row-in-an-all-time-classic-grand",
        "published": "2026-09-26T07:17:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Surprised Docker wins Norm Smith Medal in losing grand final team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/surprised-docker-wins-norm-smith-medal-in-losing-grand-final-team-9949046",
        "published": "2026-09-26T08:34:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}