Shai Bolton [merged]

[one-eyed]

THE ASPECT OF BOLTON’S GAME THAT’S HOLDING HIM BACK FROM “MEGASTAR” STATUS

By Lachlan Geleit
SEN
16 September 2022

Brisbane Lions great Jason Akermanis is a big fan of Richmond’s Shai Bolton’s game.

Bolton, 23, had a career-best season in 2022, earning a maiden All-Australian blazer as he kicked 43 goals from 23 games.

Having developed into perhaps the hardest matchup in the competition, Akermanis says Bolton reminds him of the fastest player he ever played against, former Docker and Kangaroo Winston Abraham.

The 2001 Brownlow medallist even thinks Bolton is on the verge of becoming a “megastar” if he cleans up one flaw in his game.

“He’s very agile, but he’s got that over-striding gait,” he said on SEN Breakfast.

“He’s got some wheels, he’s very quick, but he’s super quick between hand and foot.

“The quickest guy I ever played against was Winnie Abraham, he was unbelievable. You think you’d got him and before you knew it he already got the kick away. He was just a freak.

“I reckon Shai is in that mould. If his left foot was a little bit better, you know how good my left foot was when I needed it, but if he could just get that better he is going to be a megastar.”

While Bolton and Richmond’s season is over, the dynamic forward could still be in for more recognition as he’s been named a finalist for this year’s Goal of The Year award.

Bolton comes off contract at Richmond at the end of next season and Richmond powerbrokers will be desperate to extend his time at Punt Road.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/09/16/the-aspect-of-boltons-game-thats-holding-him-back-from-megastar-status/

[one-eyed]

Off-field impact drives young Tiger Shai Bolton’s breakout 2022 season

Jackson Clark
National Indigenous Times
October 7, 2022
 
Richmond assistant coach Xavier Clarke says Shai Bolton’s breakout 2022 season has coincided with the young gun making a bigger impact on the team off the field.

Clarke – the Tigers’ forward-line coach – said the naturally-shy Bolton was beginning to speak up and impart his ideas during team meetings.

“In meetings he is starting to have a voice, which is really important,” Clarke said on SEN Fridays at the Top End.

“It is quite powerful when he does talk because he is a quieter person.

Bolton enjoyed a career-best season for the Tigers, which culminated in his selection on the half forward flank in the 2022 AFL All-Australian team.

The silky-smooth mover thrived in the absence of Tigers star Dustin Martin and played in a similar forward-midfield role.

He finished third in the prestigious Leigh Matthews Trophy for the AFLPA’s Most Valuable Player.

“He’s just a well-grounded kid and it’s scary to think that he’s only 23-year-old,” Clarke said.

“If he continues to excel in the way he is going, he’s going to be a very good player for a long time.”

Bolton arrived at the Tigers as a 17-year-old after being drafted with selection 29 in the 2016 National Draft.

After debuting in 2017, Bolton played in the Tigers’ premiership triumphs in 2019 and 2020.

Bolton has finished top-five in the club’s best-and-fairest award in each of the past three seasons and is considered by many as one of the game’s most exciting young talents.

Clarke said the West Australian was forced to grow up quickly after joining the Tigers’ elite environment and has paid credit to Bolton’s professionalism.

“Until you’re told how you need to run, what GPS mapping you need to be hitting and how to train, you just don’t know how to do it,” he said.

“He’s now really good at that, his work rate is outstanding and his footy has followed.

“He is a quiet kid and at footy clubs you grow up pretty quickly, especially if you have to move away from home.”

https://www.nit.com.au/off-field-impact-drives-young-tiger-shai-boltons-breakout-2022-season/

[one-eyed]

Blair Hartley on Trade Radio said conversations have already started regarding Shai's next contract [Bolts is out of contract next year]. Blair gets on really well with his manager (Perth-based Anthony Van Der Wielen). It will be locked away.

[one-eyed]

Dwayne Russell has Bolts as the sixth best player of 2022.

1 - Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)
2 - Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
3 - Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
4 - Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
5 - Christian Petracca (Melbourne)

6 - Shai Bolton (Richmond)
Kicked 43 goals.
Finished equal fourth in Richmond’s best and fairest.
Polled 12 Brownlow votes.
Made the All-Australian team on the half-forward flank.

7 - Steven May (Melbourne)
8 - Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
9 - Touk Miller (Gold Coast)
10 - Callum Mills (Sydney)

Honourable mentions:
Chad Warner (Sydney)
Tom Stewart (Geelong)
Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/10/19/dwayne-russells-top-10-players-for-2022/

[one-eyed]

23 today  .


https://twitter.com/Richmond_FC/status/1600616438787547136

[Damo]

Only 23 .. scary to think what he could become .. potential freak

[Andyy]

Only 23 .. scary to think what he could become .. potential freak

100% gee I forgot how young he is.

Going into his prime very exciting.

[one-eyed]

Word on the street is… Shai’s here to stay

- https://t.co/pwyYysREbJ

https://twitter.com/Richmond_FC/status/1605051655405199360

[one-eyed]

Shai Bolton signs five-year contract extension

Richmond has received a significant boost with gun youngster Shai Bolton committing to the Club long-term.

Bolton has put pen to paper on a new five-year contract extension this week, tying him to the Swinburne Centre until at least the end of 2028.

The 24-year-old dual premiership player received his first All-Australian honours last season, reward for a career-best year as a dominant roaming forward and stoppage player.

Bolton averaged 18 disposals across the campaign and booted 43 goals and 41 behinds as a constant threat to opponents all over the ground. The electric Tiger ranked #3 in the AFL for score involvements and was behind only Tom Lynch at Richmond for shots at goal.

The West Australian product has maintained a continual upward trajectory at Richmond since being selected as a supremely skilled but raw teenager with pick No. 29 overall at the 2016 National Draft.

Bolton played mainly at VFL level for the Tigers in his first two seasons, developing his all-round game before emerging as a regular in the premiership-winning 2019 campaign.

Additional midfield time in 2020 saw the dynamic youngster emerge as one of the competition’s most damaging players and his standing among the game's elite has continued to grow over the past two seasons.

Bolton said that he could not see himself playing his football anywhere else.

“I have loved the Club since I got drafted. I love the culture here, all the boys, the coaching staff and playing at the MCG,” he added.

“It was pretty easy to decide in the end… I am super excited to stay here.”

Richmond General Manager- Football Talent Blair Hartley said the Club was thrilled to secure Bolton long-term.

“Shai is such an important part of our football program because of the person and player he is, so to have him commit for the next five years is brilliant news for everyone involved,” he said.

“He has worked tirelessly to elevate his game in each season he’s had with us. We are excited about what he can achieve individually and with us as a team as he continues to flourish as a footballer and leader.

“This contract rewards Shai’s hard work, and we are delighted to have him and his family at the Club for another five years.”

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1259683/shai-bolton-signs-five-year-contract-extension/

[Andyy]

sensational news!

Wonder what it's worth but not fussed he's such a jet

[Willy]

Excellent news!

Look out for the Narkle lifeline now….

[one-eyed]

Five year contract for Shai Bolton. Just imagine what he would have been worth if he held off until the end of next year. His manager Anthony van Der Wielen has been working away with the club on it for months

https://twitter.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/1605053147583746048

[Tiger Khosh]

What a guy! Gave up free agency and all 

[mat073]

Best Christmas present ever !!!!

[one-eyed]

sensational news!

Wonder what it's worth but not fussed he's such a jet

7news just said more than $4 million (over 5 years).