Past Player of the Week - Mark Bolton

[The Speaker]

Mark Bolton​

DOB: 03/04/1979

Height: 195 cm

Weight: 88 kg

Playing number: 23

Arrived: Drafted with pick four in the 1997 AFL draft

Debut: Round 11 vs Richmond, 1998

Games: 124

Goals: 50

Departed: Retired after the 2007 season

Mark Bolton was a utility player who established himself in the late Sheedy era. Having played for Ringwood and Eastern U18s, Bolton was drafted with Essendon's first round pick in the 1997 draft, and was immediately thrust into the big league, playing in round one of 1998. It was to be one of only seven matches he played in his first three years, struggling to break into a strong side. By 2001 he was being used to fill the gaps, playing twelves games, including the Preliminary Final.

Bolton was a regular by 2002. He played in a variety of positions, owing to his athleticism and attitude, and was much appreciated at the club, winning the best clubman award four times. Perhaps what he is most renowned for, though, was his efforts against Adam Goodes, gaining a reputation for repeatedly getting the better of the Brownlow Medallist, despite expectations. As the club slid, Bolton remained a fixture in the side, despite hamstring problems. Upon Sheedy's depature, he too left, retiring at the age of 28 at the end of 2007.

He has since played for University Blacks, and now works in assisting homeless youths.

 

[boncer34]

Adam Goodes was terrified of this bloke.

 

[boncer34]

Also Sheeds finished in 2007 didn't he? Bolts only played under him.

 

[Matthew_Lloyd]

I remember Bolton having a blinder against Brisbane around 2003 or 2004. We were struggling bad (iirc we fell out of the 8, and coming off a big loss against Adelaide at FP), before Bolton and Hird dominated against the Lions and we won at Etihad. We then win like 6 in a row and make the finals after that

 

[Darealrath]

Was a bit like a likeable but goofy sitcom character that often met with some kind of mishap on the field.

Super professional with reasonable skills but seemed to lack smarts/composure.

I think it was in one of those finals we lost where we started him at CHF vs Port and he took a stack of marks on the lead early on before doing his hammy.

 

[eth-dog]

I remember when he and Keplar Bradley were our ruck combination one game

 

[Squeaky]

Was a bit like a likeable but goofy sitcom character that often met with some kind mishap on the field.

Super professional with reasonable skills but seemed to lack smarts/composure.

I think it was in one of those finals we lost where we started him at CHF vs Port and he took a stack of marks on the lead early on before doing his hammy.

Yep - spot on. And he got reported for nearly taking Roger James'? head off... Good times!

 

[Old man fletch]

I remember Bolton having a blinder against Brisbane around 2003 or 2004. We were struggling bad (iirc we fell out of the 8, and coming off a big loss against Adelaide at FP), before Bolton and Hird dominated against the Lions and we won at Etihad. We then win like 6 in a row and make the finals after that

I'd wager that he was entering contract negotiations. The thing i remember most about him (other than his games against Goodes) was he'd infuriate me for 1-2-3 years (however long his contract was) and whenever he was entering contract negotiations, put on a few blinders, get a new contract and go back to normal.

 

[yaco55]

Trivia - Bolton started on the ground for Round 1 of 1998 ( his first game ) - He was interchanged before the first bounce.

 

[vast]

Insert Mr Burns shudder.

Should have kept Danny Jacobs at least he could mark.

 

[Zach Package]

Waaay before his time as a 195 cm tall that could run like the absolute clappers

 

[yodellinhank]

I'd wager that he was entering contract negotiations. The thing i remember most about him (other than his games against Goodes) was he'd infuriate me for 1-2-3 years (however long his contract was) and whenever he was entering contract negotiations, put on a few blinders, get a new contract and go back to normal.

You familiar with the story of Danny Jacob's departure? Legend has it Sheeds called the two into his office and told them only one could stay due to salary cap/list management. Bolton jumped at the offer to stay as a dumfounded Jacobs processed how bizarre and wrong being put in that situation was. Seems ridiculous, but that's the story. Could've bitten us on the arse way worse than it did, Jacobs was one of my favourites at the time.

Trivia - Bolton started on the ground for Round 1 of 1998 ( his first game ) - He was interchanged before the first bounce.

Got to love that crazy old bastard Sheeds. Any further to the story, who came on? I remember Salmon's comeback game when he started to make his way off the field, then Hille(?) sprinted out of the square and Salmon wheeled around on member's centre wing and the crowd went crazy.

 

[efcboy]

Doing great work with the Ladder organisation - the charity of choice of the AFLPA. Bolton could be a future CEO of AFLPA.

 

[Jade]

Decent enough player, if you remember that not everyone has to be a superstar or a spud.

Met him once back in the day when I worked retail - lovely fella.

 

[Jade]

And also;

http://www.ladder.org.au/index.php?id=1

Has done some damn positive things with his life post football.

 

[yaco55]

You familiar with the story of Danny Jacob's departure? Legend has it Sheeds called the two into his office and told them only one could stay due to salary cap/list management. Bolton jumped at the offer to stay as a dumfounded Jacobs processed how bizarre and wrong being put in that situation was. Seems ridiculous, but that's the story. Could've bitten us on the arse way worse than it did, Jacobs was one of my favourites at the time.



Got to love that crazy old bastard Sheeds. Any further to the story, who came on? I remember Salmon's comeback game when he started to make his way off the field, then Hille(?) sprinted out of the square and Salmon wheeled around on member's centre wing and the crowd went crazy.

That was a big mistake - Jacobs was a much better player than Bolton.

Bolton was taken off for match up reasons - No suitable player his size. The game was at the MCG and Bolton lined up at Half back Punt Road end.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Danny Jacobs was a loss i remember my mate being stoked when the Hawks got him.

 

[efcboy]

That was a big mistake - Jacobs was a much better player than Bolton.

Bolton was taken off for match up reasons - No suitable player his size. The game was at the MCG and Bolton lined up at Half back Punt Road end.

No he wasn't - Jacobs was a complete dud at Hawthorn before he retired when his body couldn't cope with the demands of AFL (as a result of poor training standards). Bolton on the other hand rarely had issues with his body and was a useful player for Essendon as a utility. In addition Bolton was a far better clubman and helped set the tone on the training track with his high standards. On the other hand Jacobs would be constantly late having been out partying regularly and not being a committed professional athlete.

 

[efcboy]

Danny Jacobs was a loss i remember my mate being stoked when the Hawks got him.

And was your mate then extremely disappointed when he was terrible at Hawthorn?!

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

And was your mate then extremely disappointed when he was terrible at Hawthorn?!

lol yeah he was which put a grin on my face

Was a shame loosing players like Jacobs,Blummers,Caracella etc straight after they won a flag with us the year before.That 2000 team could of easily won another 2 flags.

 

[efcboy]

lol yeah he was which put a grin on my face

Was a shame loosing players like Jacobs,Blummers,Caracella etc straight after they won a flag with us the year before.That 2000 team could of easily won another 2 flags.

Jacobs was never a premiership player. Blumfield, Caracalla, Heffernan and Hardwick were the ones we lost due to salary cap forcing us to trade them.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Jacobs was never a premiership player. Blumfield, Caracalla, Heffernan and Hardwick were the ones we lost due to salary cap forcing us to trade them.

Your right about about Jacobs i thought he was.

 

[yaco55]

No he wasn't - Jacobs was a complete dud at Hawthorn before he retired when his body couldn't cope with the demands of AFL (as a result of poor training standards). Bolton on the other hand rarely had issues with his body and was a useful player for Essendon as a utility. In addition Bolton was a far better clubman and helped set the tone on the training track with his high standards. On the other hand Jacobs would be constantly late having been out partying regularly and not being a committed professional athlete.

jacobs had far more ability than bolton - and jacobs attracted more interest from other clubs than bolton - all the more reason to keep jacobs.

 

[JD11]

195?? Jesus.

Played a couple of great games in great matches; one in particular I recall 2003 against Brisbane. Couple of goals, 22 touches, 9 marks. Pretty sure my parents weren't home, I had some mates round, we yelled at the TV. Infact, I think my Dad went to a Rugby Union international. That was one of my favourite games ever.



Cupido2Bolton

I love these threads.

 

[boncer34]

I remember when he and Keplar Bradley were our ruck combination one game

When?