Roy WardUpdated June 18, 2026 — 9:00pm,first published 7:05pm9.00pmAir Bolton soars over Optus StadiumBy Freo star Shai Bolton has added another contender to mark of the year with a brilliant hanger at half-forward.“Air Bolton - your exits are here and here,” Commentator Matt Hill quipped on Kayo Sports.Cameron has kicked the Cats’ sixth straight goal and his second major but all eyes are on the replay of Bolton’s mark“He’s won mark of the year before and I think that’s the clubhouse leader,” Jack Riewoldt, a premiership teammate of Bolton’s, said on Kayo Sports.Cats 50, Freo 28 with 11 mins to go in Q2.8.58pmWhat did our experts make of this game, and this round?By 8.56pmDockers pay for poor goal kickingBy Jeremy Cameron and Shannon Neale have each booted goals to open the second term, stretching Geelong’s lead out to three goals.The Dockers are struggling badly with their goal kicking accuracy tonight.The Cats have kicked 5.1 from set shots, the Dockers are now 1.5 after Jye Amiss failed to convert a shot.Cats 44, Freo 27 with 15 mins to go in Q2.Patrick Dangerfield delivers a pre-game rev-up.AFL Photos8.54pmAnalysis: Bad kicking is bad footyBy Steve BarrettFremantle have threatened to run Geelong off their feet, as planned, but they haven’t quite been able to capitalise.The Dockers have missed five set shots – four behinds and one no score on the quarter-time bell – to let the Cats off the hook.Geelong, without Bailey Smith, can’t keep up in a track meet but they have brought pressure in the middle to stun Freo at stoppage and pinch pole position.Patrick Dangerfield attended three centre ball-ups last week against Gold Coast, and has already attended five tonight – and showed what he can still do, chalking up two centre clearances while up against Patrick Voss, then Andy Brayshaw.Luke Jackson has been a handful – and will continue to be so – but Geelong’s pressure has been the difference, feasting on the Dockers’ cough-ups.8.45pmQuarter-time statsBy 8.40pmQT: Geelong 5.2 (32) to Fremantle 3.4 (22)By The impact of Jack Martin, Max Holmes and Ollie Wiltshire have impressed plenty of people in this opening term, especially with the Cats missing Bailey Smith and Tom Stewart.“No Bailey Smith, no worries,” Jack Riewoldt said on Kayo Sports.Oliver Wiltshire celebrates a goal.AFL Photos“We thought, ‘Who was going to cover in the midfield?’ and Max Holmes was one name thrown up, but Danger starts to roll back through the middle and he’s spent the last five to six minutes on the ball and this is exactly what he’s in there for.“He’s an impact player.“And then once it’s in there you’ve got to be ready for your opportunities and Wiltshire has been ready.”8.38pmAnalysis: An embarrassment of richesBy Steve BarrettIt’s almost unfair the plethora of gilt-edged options Fremantle boast who can go through the middle.Returning superstar Caleb Serong started on the ball in a mouthwatering match-up with Patrick Dangerfield, while Shai Bolton also attended the first ball-up against Max Holmes, along with Andrew Brayshaw.Murphy Reid started in attack, manned by Mark O’Connor, then switched onto the ball briefly and has already hit the scoreboard, as have Luke Jackson and Patrick Voss.Dockers captain Alex Pearce has the job on Shaun Mannagh, while at the other end Jack Henry is keeping Josh Treacy company.8.32pmCats on fireBy Ollie Wiltshire kicked his second goal in a matter of minutes and, soon after that, Jack Martin marked strongly in the forward line and went back to kick his third goal on the term.The Cats are defending strongly and bursting clear with the footy.They are in dangerous form.Cats 30, Freo 20 with seven mins to go in Q1.Jack Martin of the Cats celebrates a goal.Getty Images8.28pmEnter ‘the Prancing Pony’By Patrick Voss has thumped home a goal from 50 metres out and “the Prancing Pony” is away and firing at Optus Stadium tonight.“The Prancing Pony is a charging steed now,” said Kayo Sports commentator Matt Hill, who is also an accomplished horse racing caller, loving the sight of Voss running to the team bench with his chest out.Shai Bolton of the Dockers.Getty ImagesBut the Cats weren’t put off, with Ollie Wiltshire kicking a goal at the other end following another forced turnover, with Ollie Dempsey finding his namesake in space.Freo 20, Cats 18 with nine mins to go in Q1.8.21pmMake that two goals to MartinBy Jack Martin is running amok in the Cats’ forward line as they won a turnover in the middle and found him at half forward, before he ran into an open goal and nailed it.Much has been made about which stars will be tagged, but someone in the Fremantle side needs to man up or Martin will continue to punish them.In response, Murphy Reid, who is being closely watched by Mark O’Connor, has broken free and run into an open goal for the home side.Freo 13, Cats 12 with 13 mins to go in Q1.1 of 3