The suspension is a bitter blow for Bolton who is among the most improved players in the competition. His final six weeks of 2002 really stamped himself as a quality senior player. His suspension does not include the pre-season competition so he will miss the first three home and away matches of 2003. Having worked so hard to earn and cement his place in the senior side, he will be bitterly disappointed.
The loss of Bolton is an even bigger blow to the Bombers when you consider the club will also be without Dustin Fletcher for the opening round next season. Fketcher was suspended for two weeks after making contact with the leg of West Coast's Chris Judd in the Elimination Final. He has served just one of those weeks.
Three Essendon players - James Hird, Paul Barnard and Gary Moorcroft - were all found guilty of engaging in a melee. Hird copped the steepest fine of $5000 while Barnard and Moorcroft were fined $3500 and $3000 respectively. Joe Misiti was cleared of engaging in a melee.
