Shai Bolton [merged]

[one-eyed]

According to Daniel Hoyne from Champion Data, Bolton is the 4th best "clutch player" in the comp.

By "clutch player", they mean the most effective and influential player during the parts of games where the margin either way is less than 12 points.

1. Bontempelli
2. Butters
3. Chad Warner
4. Bolton
5. Dunkley

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/purefooty-episode-14-2023/video/488eca5f41e2e2fd18a9fb6af7dd74e6

[one-eyed]

From Robbo's 'dislikes' column:

5. SHAI BOLTON

The Herald Sun Rich 100 list last week told us the dynamic Richmond midfielder will earn north of $1.1 million next year, which will put him in the 10 highest-paid players in the game. He’s not worth that much money – not if he continue to go missing when Richmond is on the road. In games played in Victoria this season, Bolton averages 99 ranking points. Out of Victoria, he ranks 82. In Victoria, he’s kicked 16 goals in 10 matches. Out of Victoria, he’s kicked three goals in five matches. He’s a hometown specialist and an away-game fringe player. Richmond was collectively poor against Brisbane last Thursday night and Bolton had 18 disposals, three clearances, a lowly 298m gained and his third lowest ranking game of the season. He’s a star but his performances on the road don’t cut it. The money he demanded – $5 million-plus over five years which he signed in late 2022 – demands that he be better.

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/the-tackle-mark-robinsons-likes-and-dislikes-from-round-16/news-story/fce9c08a642a2c382408ab9de0a1c77e

[WilliamPowell]

From Robbo's 'dislikes' column:

5. SHAI BOLTON

The Herald Sun Rich 100 list last week told us the dynamic Richmond midfielder will earn north of $1.1 million next year, which will put him in the 10 highest-paid players in the game. He’s not worth that much money – not if he continue to go missing when Richmond is on the road. In games played in Victoria this season, Bolton averages 99 ranking points. Out of Victoria, he ranks 82. In Victoria, he’s kicked 16 goals in 10 matches. Out of Victoria, he’s kicked three goals in five matches. He’s a hometown specialist and an away-game fringe player. Richmond was collectively poor against Brisbane last Thursday night and Bolton had 18 disposals, three clearances, a lowly 298m gained and his third lowest ranking game of the season. He’s a star but his performances on the road don’t cut it. The money he demanded – $5 million-plus over five years which he signed in late 2022 – demands that he be better.

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/the-tackle-mark-robinsons-likes-and-dislikes-from-round-16/news-story/fce9c08a642a2c382408ab9de0a1c77e

Hate to admit but agree with Robbo 100% on this

Shai was MIA last Thursday...big time

[the claw]

Keep saying it X factor not the type to pick your team up and drag it over the line but a type who needs all parts of the wheel working to be able to be real damaging. Yep he is better than cream on top but it is close to what we have.

[Tiger Khosh]

When bolts plays well, Richmond plays well. Just a game changer and hell of a player.

[Willy]

Yes he’s a bit inconsistent but let’s not get it confused. He’s a star.

[one-eyed]

Massive numbers for Bolts last night:

31 disposals (22k, 9h, 17c, 15u, 67.7% eff.)
3 marks (2 contested marks)
3 tackles
9 clearances (5 centre clearances)
9 inside 50s
598 metres gained
4 intercepts
10 score involvements
4 goal assists
2 behinds
89% time on ground

[one-eyed]

Shai Bolton may have had a slightly slower start to the 2023 season after winning an inaugural All-Australian blazer in 2022, but he’s been back to his brilliant best for Richmond in recent weeks.

Bolton finished the match with an equal game-high 31 disposals, game-high 17 contested possessions, three marks, nine inside-50s, nine clearances, an equal game-high five centre clearances, a game-high four goal assists, game-high 10 score involvements, four intercepts, three tackles and team-high 598 metres gained.

Bolton and his top-class Tiger teammate Dustin Martin are the only two players in the AFL competition who are averaging more than 20 disposals and a goal a game so far this season.

He is averaging a career-high 22.4 disposals and has kicked 19 goals in 16 games, while Martin also has a disposals average of 22.4 disposals, and he’s scored 14 goals in 14 games.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1375242/bolton-burning-bright

[one-eyed]

Anyway Shai is absolutely an All-Australian again this year and is only getting better every week


https://twitter.com/shaimaxeyguy/status/1677987888250892289

[one-eyed]

Shai rated the equal sixth best "clutch" player in the comp.

Champion Data: Stats show which AFL players and clubs perform best when games are in the balance

Clutch kings make all the difference in the push for a premiership. SHANNON GILL and Champion Data have crunched the numbers to see who steps up - and who doesn‘t - when matches are there to be won.

Shannon Gill
HeraldSun
July 13, 2023



Defining clutch

As sophisticated as statistics have become, clutch is still a vague term of sorts, no matter how many times it gets used in describing play.

Usually it‘s synonymous with close last quarters, the time when it’s more obvious that a game is on the line. But that discounts how many games are decided in earlier stretches, where a team puts the game to bed before either holding the game at a comfortable lead or careering further away.

This can happen in the third quarter, but also the first term.

So for the purposes of this clutch exercise, the definition is any moment in a game where the margin is less than two goals. At that stage, a match can easily tip either way.

And the best way to calculate this is by looking at playing ratings per 100 minutes of ‘clutch time’. So this disregards what some might refer to as ‘junk time’ statistics, when games are already decided. It only incorporates minutes when the margin is two goals or less.

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/champion-data-stats-show-which-afl-players-and-clubs-perform-best-when-games-are-in-the-balance/news-story/9757e09e9ea73bed672f3ee28b40fade

[one-eyed]

Bolton happy at home

Richmond star Shai Bolton loves playing in Perth. The Western Australian speedster, who produced one of the great individual quarters of this season back in round 13 against Fremantle, returned to Optus Stadium for his seventh game at the venue and continues to deliver fantastic performances laced with excitement. On Sunday, he was electric around goal early, swooping on a forward-half stoppage to kick a first-quarter goal. In the final term, he flew for a thrilling pack mark on the shoulders of Jeremy McGovern. You never know what to expect when you go to the football to watch Bolton, but you always know you will be entertained.

23 disposals (13k, 10h, 4c, 19u, 73.9% eff.)
5 marks (1 contested)
3 tackles (1 F50 tackle)
1 clearance
3 inside 50s
394 metres gained
11 score involvements
1 goal assist
2 goals
4 behinds
85% time on ground

Source: AFL website.

[one-eyed]

Shai was our highest ranked player on the ground according to the AFL website.

25 disposals (18k, 7h, 16c, 11u, 56% eff.)
4 marks
2 tackles (1 F50 tackle)
8 clearances (4 centre clearances)
11 inside 50s
606 metres gained
3 intercepts
7 score involvements
1 goal assist
1 goal
2 behinds
85% time on ground

[Diocletian]

Wish he'd just kick it normally instead of trying bananas with nearly every kick.

[one-eyed]

Bolton is one of the three nominees for mark of the week:

Vote here: https://www.afl.com.au/mark-of-the-year

[one-eyed]

Shai needs at least 3 goals next week to either tie or past Jack as our leading goalkicker for the year.

His game today:
25 disposals (19k, 6h, 8c, 17u, 64% eff.)
7 marks
2 tackles
2 clearances
8 inside 50s
587 metres gained
1 intercept
12 score involvements
4 goals
1 behind
86% time on ground