Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir didn’t see Shai Bolton’s scoreboard taunt against Essendon but was OK with it anyway

Fremantle moved into the top eight with a win over an Essendon side littered with first-year players and some scoreboard taunting from a Dockers star raised some eyebrows.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says star Shai Bolton plays on the “edge” but has no issue with his on-field attitude after he taunted Essendon players by pointing to the scoreboard after a goal during Thursday night’s romp.

Tensions boiled over in the second quarter when Bolton pointed to the scoreboard during a scuffle, letting the severely undermanned Bombers outfit, littered with first-year players including debutant ruckman Vigo Visentini, know exactly who was in control. The margin was 23 points.

The former Richmond star then slotted a goal of his own a minute later and had words with Bomber Jaxon Prior, who had given away the free kick that allowed him the shot on goal.

Shai Bolton got under the Bombers’ skin. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

That only further stoked the fire as tempers flared again but Longmuir, who said he didn’t see the scoreboard gesture, had no issue with Bolton’s approach.

“I didn’t see that, but I like the edge he plays with,” he said.

“I think largely Shai valued the right things tonight. I thought his pressure and contests were really strong from the get-go.

“He plays with flair and isn’t afraid and likes to get in the opposition’s face.

“So I didn’t see the pointing at the scoreboard, but I don’t mind the way he played.”

Bolton finished with two goals from 15 disposals.

The Dockers’ fifth consecutive win takes their season record to 9-5, with a game against St Kilda next week, again in Perth.

Bolton likes to get in the opposition’s face. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Longmuir praised his team’s commitment to the contest, calling out Nathan O’Driscoll’s bravery as a standout moment. The young midfielder crashed into Bomber Will Setterfield in the third quarter, setting up a goal from the next play.

“I mentioned it after the game,” he said.

“I asked the players for a really strong trademark game. I thought we were just a little bit off with that last week.

“Not necessarily the physicality aspect of it, more probably the communication and the connection between our roles and having each other’s backs.

“I probably thought that was a little bit off last week. I thought that was tremendous today.

“And I mentioned squaring the ball up inside forward 50 and none of our forwards looked to kick goals with U-turns, they all fed it back to players in better positions.

“Then we had guys going back and putting their body on the line for the team. That moment was fantastic, along with a lot of different trademark moments throughout the night.

“It’s one of many.”

Originally published as Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir didn’t see Shai Bolton’s scoreboard taunt against Essendon but was OK with it anyway