Toast Welcome To Freo Shai Bolton!!!

[freo84]

Forward stoppages are going to be fun as hell to watch.

 

[worsemim]

From an offensive game plan point of view, we don't want Bolton or Switta as the marking target from a centre bounce clearance. We want Treacy, Amiss or Jackson leading for that mark.

Not to be too unkind, but if it's Jackson leading for the mark we probably want a crumber there for when it comes to ground.

 

[Taylor]

Not to be too unkind, but if it's Jackson leading for the mark we probably want a crumber there for when it comes to ground.

And that player is going to need to be in front of him, while he is leading away from goal. You'll see all our smalls lined up along the edge of the 50 for that exact reason.

I think Jackson actually stays pretty close to goal in these set ups, not so much because he drops them so often, but because Amiss is so much faster and Treacy and he give each other a little look and then one of them runs himself and his opponent into the opposition defender breaking Treacy or Amiss free to lead right up the guts.

Keeping the third tall closer to goal, manning Jackson, stops him from standing 35m out in front by himself blocking that lead from Amiss and Treacy.

 

[Purple Suit]

Let me clarify: I am a huge Shai Bolton fan. As Sully says, we need a small forward to put goals up really bad, we've got a lot of pieces in place but previously did not have a small forward who can could win a game off his boot. We have a more-than-adequate midfield; we had the highest clearance differential in the league in 2024—and that's without our first choice ruckman for most of the year. We're getting access! We've lacked threats up forward to cause chaos for opposition defences.

What we actually needed to improve upon was capitalising on midfield dominance with scoring threats. Especially needed some so-called "downhill skiers"—how often did we fail to put points on the board during relentless one-sided quarters, and then face a comeback?

I would be surprised if we played Shai anywhere close to 50-50. I expect we'll see him occasionally getting dropped into crucial contests to mix it up like we did this year with Switta (who had 4% CBA overall—I'd expect a little more from Shai).

It’ll be when we’re getting beaten. If Young or Serong are down, they can go forward and swap with Shai for a change. It’ll be a luxury.

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

Forward stoppages are going to be fun as hell to watch.

Wait till Murphy Reid has a season or two under his belt with Reid, Bolton, Serong and Young around the ball for a forward 50 stoppage.

 

[freo84]

Wait till Murphy Reid has a season or two under his belt with Reid, Bolton, Serong and Young around the ball for a forward 50 stoppage.

You left out Kozzie

 

[Andyy]

How was his game last weekend? Didn't get a chance to watch it unfortunately despite all the former Tigers out there.

I see he got a bit of the ball but kicked 0.2.

Hope there's better form ahead coming off injury.

 

[freo84]

How was his game last weekend? Didn't get a chance to watch it unfortunately despite all the former Tigers out there.

I see he got a bit of the ball but kicked 0.2.

Hope there's better form ahead coming off injury.

He played well and did some really nice stoppage work. He did try to do to much but he is electric around the ball.

 

[Andyy]

He played well and did some really nice stoppage work. He did try to do to much but he is electric around the ball.

On ball was absolutely the best place to see him tbh, despite his goal kicking ability.

Breakaway pace would have to be up there with the best in the league. Real jet.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

How was his game last weekend? Didn't get a chance to watch it unfortunately despite all the former Tigers out there.

I see he got a bit of the ball but kicked 0.2.

Hope there's better form ahead coming off injury.

You can see it coming where he's going to tear a game apart soon. He's been better than stats for us because he's one of the few that gets it forward.

While I hope hes allowed to be a bit more selfish than others he desperately needs that first goal...

 

[freo84]

You can see it coming where he's going to tear a game apart soon. He's been better than stats for us because he's one of the few that gets it forward.

While I hope hes allowed to be a bit more selfish than others he desperately needs that first goal...

I feel like he's going to kick 4 and have 25 this weekend. You could see him really working his way into the game.

 

[Silencer83]

Watching the last two games you can see the difference he makes. He hasn't got the goals yet but his presence in the middle and around stoppages you can see his instincts and understanding is on another level to many of our other players.

 

[E Shed]

Watching the last two games you can see the difference he makes. He hasn't got the goals yet but his presence in the middle and around stoppages you can see his instincts and understanding is on another level to many of our other players.

Him & Bruce are the resident genius IQ level players. Tempted to put Wombat in there too.
God it's good to have some high IQ players out there. Things will start happening once they have some chemistry together with the rest of the team.

I just hope coaching staff have the vision to leave keep Reid, Duds in place when all the senior players are available.
You can't argue with Walters football brain and I'm sure he would play well in our forward setup not there are other genuine threats but you simply can't leave Reid out and Dudley brings the genuine, small dangerous forward element we've been missing since Shultz left (and he's going to be better than Shultz in a creative sense).

Freddy offers something unique with his pace and proven long range set shot kicking, plus he's a good contested mark.
God its tricky. I want Jackson to play wing or on ball permanently & just drift forward so we can fit all the smalls and mediums in. Far more dangerous with creative, smart players around Josh & Jye.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Him & Bruce are the resident genius IQ level players. Tempted to put Wombat in there too.
God it's good to have some high IQ players out there. Things will start happening once they have some chemistry together with the rest of the team.

I just hope coaching staff have the vision to leave keep Reid, Duds in place when all the senior players are available.
You can't argue with Walters football brain and I'm sure he would play well in our forward setup not there are other genuine threats but you simply can't leave Reid out and Dudley brings the genuine, small dangerous forward element we've been missing since Shultz left (and he's going to be better than Shultz in a creative sense).

Freddy offers something unique with his pace and proven long range set shot kicking, plus he's a good contested mark.
God its tricky. I want Jackson to play wing or on ball permanently & just drift forward so we can fit all the smalls and mediums in. Far more dangerous with creative, smart players around Josh & Jye.

I will lead a riot at HQ if they drop Reid at any point other than a rest. He's the 2nd best "small forward" on the list

 

[Dale147]

 

[chaosball32]

RECRUIT OF THE YEAR

 

[dexter_]

BOG while heavily pregnant is an awesome effort



B

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Has the potential to be the greatest trade this club has ever made given the Reid package

 

[ilikepotatoes]

BOG while heavily pregnant is an awesome effort



BView attachment 2330280

Nice to see us banking some future father sons. Richmond can **** off.

 

[Belnakor]

Has the potential to be the greatest trade this club has ever made given the Reid package

Absolutely elite. Getting better every week.

 

[ubiquitous226]

 

[E Shed]

Bloke is a deadset genius. Him & Murphy Reid raised the collective football IQ of this team by a factor of anything you wish to name. Incredible player.

 

[Purpletown]

That tackle of his in the final quarter that led to a goal to Amiss was a testament to his work ethic. He must have been running on fumes at the end but still managed a great run down tackle to help seal the game. An amazing player.

 

[King Huskii]

God mode today

 

[Freo Big Fella]

Absolute Shai-is-a-cheat-code territory today. And in the pouring fing rain to boot.