Jude Bolton appreciated the fond farewell he was given: SWANS departing champ Jude Bolton will be forever grateful to the Fremantle players and coaches who formed a guard of honour along with his Sydney teammates to send him out in style. Tears welled in the veteran’s eyes after the game when he thanked the Dockers personnel who stopped their celebrations to honour the dual premiership player. “I really commend the Fremantle guys, I was really rapt they showed that respect,” Bolton said. “They didn’t have to do that (line up) but Pav (Matthew Pavlich) came up to me and said we want to line up so I really thank the Fremantle guys for doing that. “I said to Pav you should be just enjoying it. They are a great club and really well led by those sort of guys and I really appreciate it.” Among the Fremantle line up was former team mate and captain Brett Kirk who is now an assistant coach at the Dockers. Kirk and Bolton played together in the historic 2005 Grand Final. Fremantle coach Ross Lyon was an assistant coach at the Swans during that era as well. “I was a bit emotional in the rooms,” Bolton said. “You are so close to the big one you can taste it. Now you have to be one of those envious people who sit back in the stands and watch it. “To end like that is a bit disappointing but we move on. “You know how special they are you just want to be part of the big day. The whole week is just a special week, I’m very envious I just want to get to the game even when we’re not in there just to feel finals footy. “I guess we just sit back and watch, it’s going to be a great grand final with two teams going hell for leather at each other.” Bolton played in 325 games, 25 of which were finals (a club record) and three grand finals (2005, 2006, 2012) winning two premierships. His most definitive statistic is the 1490 tackles he made which is the most in the history of the game. “I’m going to miss the competitiveness and the contest. I think I’m going to have to find another competitive outlet and release somewhere,” Bolton said. “I’ll miss the camaraderie of the boys and competing week in week out. After playing against both grand finalists in recent weeks Bolton believes the Dockers can beat Hawthorn on Saturday. “I think they showed the way they beat Geelong at their home ground we know how hard it is at Simonds Stadium. It’s just that disciplined effort they have,” Bolton said. “Their pressure has gone to another level and that’s what it needs to in a final. “I know Ross Lyon he demands that of his team.”
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 01:29:20 +0000
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