Player Watch #29: Shai Bolton - What an absolute jet!

[Rocco sifreddi]

People forget bolton is only 19 years old
His body hasent filled out yet
He has all the talent just needs to work his arse off
Pre season weve got the best coaching staff in the comp if he doesnt make it with us he won't make it at all.

 

[Funky Chicken]

Contract is only for 1 year, that's a bad sign IMO.

Agree.

Carr will shop him around to the highest bidder if Shai has a half decent year next season.

I don't trust Carr as far as I can throw his hair hat.

 

[Infamy]

I dont think Shai will have the tank for years to move up the ground, if ever.

Disagree, he was playing much better in the midfield at VFL level and I think that's his more natural position

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Disagree, he was playing much better in the midfield at VFL level and I think that's his more natural position

I've been saying that for ages. He is not a forward pocket although he can rest down there.

The good thing about a one year deal is that if Cerra wants to come home and it doesn't work out with Shai, he could be part of a trade....

 

[tiggywigs]

A one year deal makes sense to me.
Gives a young player with plenty of upside the chance to prove that he can turn potential into performance.
And the club the chance to make a fair assessment of his true worth.

 

[Morro]

Disagree, he was playing much better in the midfield at VFL level and I think that's his more natural position

And rarely played 4/4's and
That's doing half the running he'd have to do at senior level

 

[Infamy]

And rarely played 4/4's and
That's doing half the running he'd have to do at senior level

He's 19!!!

 

[tugga]

Disagree, he was playing much better in the midfield at VFL level and I think that's his more natural position

Far more upside to this kid than Stengle, who is sloooooow.
Shai will be a very good player for us in years to come.

 

[Morro]

He's 19!!!

I know But I stand by my opinion that he won't ever have an AFL midfield tank.

If he's only a gun small forward I can live with that

 

[Tigerbob]

At 18 or 19 you want to see moments of brilliance and then some patches of brilliance.

We’ve all seen some things that you just shake your head in amazement. I’ve seen some patches of absolute brilliance where he has been unstoppable.

I’ve got big expectations for him. He will be given a block of games next year to get him accustomed to AFL in the hope that in the midpoint to later in the year he is comfortable and showcasing his brilliance.

I expect Rioli and Higgins to be more involved in the midfield next season. Shai will be in our forward line along with Tiger Tom and Our Jack.

 

[Bojangles17]

Don’t really see the appeal about Shai to be honest. I still feel like Stengle offers more than him.

The games I’ve seen him play, he never has much impact besides some unrealistic fly at the footy for a mark.

Stengle hasn’t got the pace imho , Shai really ramped up his impact at vfl when went to hbf, can see him being a Hill style winger

 

[sante]

Stengle has question marks on him whether he’s AFL standard. Bolton is no doubt with his talent.

 

[tigernsw]

Excellent news. Hopefully 2019 is the break out year. Super talent and we've only seen glimpses. Could be anything.

 

[Maurice Mitchell]

Would have hated to lose him before seeing what he was capable of.

 

[richoatthedisco]

Hopefully he can take a spot up forward next year and allow Rioli to move to the wing.

Hopefully he gets a crack at HB. We need a line-breaker, and that would allow Short to move to the reserves.

Contract is only for 1 year, that's a bad sign IMO. I think it is only a matter of "when" not "if" he goes back to WA.


Richmond football manager Neil Balme told AFL.com.au on Wednesday that Bolton had signed a new one-year deal.


"We're very pleased to re-sign Shai and he's very keen to stay," Balme said.


"He'll get the opportunity to play next season and if he plays well, which we're hopeful he will, then we suspect we'll soon be in strong negotiations to lock him away longer-term.


"Shai is very settled in Melbourne and is an extreme talent. He's just got to get some consistency in football, which we're confident he can."


Bolton's manager, Ralph Carr, said there was never any danger of his client leaving Punt Rd.

"We're excited to re-sign, Shai was always going to because he loves the club," Carr said.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-03/tiger-bolton-signs-on-because-he-loves-the-club

Not sure how you get that from those quotes.

I know But I stand by my opinion that he won't ever have an AFL midfield tank.

He will.

 

[parmy2balmey]

has that laconic and idgaf look but does a tonne of extras on the track

 

[hyperfuzz]

Could he moulded into a new Houli? 5cm shorter but a rebounding half-back role might suit

 

[HumanMeatball]

Could he moulded into a new Houli? 5cm shorter but a rebounding half-back role might suit

Reckon midfield best

 

[Morro]

Will never make it or play as a half back at senior level.

 

[4tune8]

High half forward....much the same as Rioli

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Will never make it or play as a half back at senior level.

Why?

 

[Morro]

Why?

Poor kick and tank being 2 major reasons.

 

[biaseddustyfan]

will be GOAT small forward within 4 years

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Poor kick and tank being 2 major reasons.

His kicking isn't that bad at all especially on the snap. He is still only 19 mate. Will be 20 for all of next year. He has plenty of time to improve his tank. Still developing his body at this stage.

 

[Maurice Mitchell]

will be GOAT small forward within 4 years

Hoping he's more than a small forward