Shai Bolton operating at ‘70 per cent’ but after getting through the derby pain free is ready to explode

Shai Bolton is set to explode in the coming weeks, with the star Fremantle midfielder revealing he’s only been operating at about 70 per cent following a disrupted summer.

Fremantle will be aiming to back up their 38-point western derby win over West Coast with victory over the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Bolton’s high-profile trade from Richmond to Fremantle at the end of last season was billed as being the move that would transform the Dockers into a premiership contender.

At 1-2, Fremantle’s start to the season has been underwhelming, with injuries to Hayden Young, Sean Darcy and Michael Walters severely hindering their cause.

Bolton missed the 78-point loss to Geelong in round one due to a stress-related injury in his leg, and looked rusty in his 15-disposal display in the three-point loss to Sydney a fortnight ago.

The 26-year-old showed more glimpses of his brilliance in his 21-disposal display against West Coast, with his 10 score involvements showing how important he will be to the side.

Bolton established himself as one of the league’s premier small forwards and midfield pinch-hitters in his time at Richmond, and Fremantle fans should be in for a treat over the coming weeks as the speedster’s fitness continues to improve.

“I would say I’m probably at 70 percent,” Bolton told AAP.

“I had a bit of bone stress on my leg in the pre-season. It’s getting better every week.

“(Against West Coast) was the first time it actually felt pretty good.

“My fitness will keep getting better every game I play.”

Bolton’s beautiful kick inside 50m in the opening quarter of last week’s derby set up debutant Isaiah Dudley for his maiden AFL goal.

“I’m glad for me that I gave him his first goal. You can put that down in the books now,” Bolton said with a laugh.

But Bolton is yet to kick a major in purple himself, with his return of 0.2 across his first two games a sign of his lack of touch.

“It (my first goal for Fremantle) is going to come sooner or later, so I’m not too stressed about it,” Bolton said.

“As long as we get the win, that’s all that matters for me. But it will feel good when it comes.”

Young (hamstring) and Darcy (ankle/knee) will return from injury via the WAFL this week, but Nat Fyfe will miss after experiencing knee soreness following three consecutive WAFL hit-outs.

The Dockers have recalled Jaeger O’Meara (illness) and Corey Wagner (calf), while the 2-1 Bulldogs go in unchanged from the team that beat Carlton last week.