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Pick 29: Shai Bolton
- Thread starter puregreen
- Start date
Bolton definitely went up a notch this year. 2 examples stand out for me: took a speccy in the QF and then looked for an option, passed to Lynch who was on his own near goal. Also the shepherd to protect Rioli running in for a goal (same game? Can't remember).
He is now playing much better team footy without losing that ability to get possession in congestion and do special things. Seems to now have the balance right.
In terms of our game plan, what really impresses me is that Richmond players always seem to have an option or 3 when they get possession. The confidence that players have knowing there will be someone running pat, someone backing up, someone up the ground ready to receive or contest a long kick is so effective.
DS
He is now playing much better team footy without losing that ability to get possession in congestion and do special things. Seems to now have the balance right.
In terms of our game plan, what really impresses me is that Richmond players always seem to have an option or 3 when they get possession. The confidence that players have knowing there will be someone running pat, someone backing up, someone up the ground ready to receive or contest a long kick is so effective.
DS
Yes same game
The 3rd one was in the grannie where he did the two handed slap on to Lambert when he was in mid air with his whole body exposed and he knew he was going to be hit.
He has certainly become an important running player. Hard to match with ... running, linking and marking. I'm certain that his fellow members (Rioli, Edwards) have provided him with insight on what's required at a high level with regards to culture, training and team ethics. He has taken that on board and the results proves themselves.
Yep. Just watched our game against Hawforn. First few minutes of the second qtr n he's up against Stratton a couple of times. Kid just pauses n lets the game n Stratton unfold around him until he finds the gap he needs to play in n uses it. Bloody footy poetry at times, but then late in the qtr he takes the advantage from a free about 20 out from goal n buggers up the snap copping a chirp from Cadds about playing the team % when there's a set shot in front of goal.
That was the trademark of the great brisbane side. no coincidence that 3 of those blokes have been formative in this tiger outfit.
That brisbane side was the best i ever saw by a fair way.
And if we win 2020, itll be hard to split us.
And if we win 2021, itll become easy
I'll look for that one next time I watch the GF (just finished watching the 2017 Victory Pack, on to 2019 finals).
It's these changes in how he plays which has got him to the point where he is a regular in a team which can't fit 22 AFL level players in the firsts, and he has done it without sacrificing the X Factor.
Should be a great player for a fair few years now.
DS
Ability was never an issue, the main knock on Shai was his fitness.
He hired a personal trainer in the post 2018 season when home in WA and significantly increased his running ability and general fitness.
He has shown this year that he is a real team player too.
One of the most improved on our list in 2019 IMO.
He hired a personal trainer in the post 2018 season when home in WA and significantly increased his running ability and general fitness.
He has shown this year that he is a real team player too.
One of the most improved on our list in 2019 IMO.
He didn't turn it around, he built on what he was already doing. You were wrong, that's all.
You were far from alone. A lot of people were doubting him last year. I don't think they watched VFL games though.
I was a true believer after his 1st quarter in the 2017 VFL Grand Final, he was freakish.
You were far from alone. A lot of people were doubting him last year. I don't think they watched VFL games though.
I think that is the concern for the opposition, we have won 2 of the last 3 flags , and quite often when that happens , it’s from a list that has peaked
And yet , there is still so much upside on our list from the likes of Shai, stackman , CCj etc etc
Just as an aside, there are not many players from that game left on our list. Griffiths, Lennon, Miles, Lloyd, Conca, Stengle, Moore, Hampson, Maric, Morris, Batchelor, Menadue, CEllis all gone. It looks like Bolton, Markov, Short, Garthwaite and Chol are left, that’s about it. Was Soldo left out of the team so Hampson could play? Do I remember that correctly?
It is amazing how we have been able to remain competitive, given the way we have turned the list over.
It is amazing how we have been able to remain competitive, given the way we have turned the list over.
In total agreement here. I think he has the highest ceiling on our whole out of young players. If he continues to build on what he has done he will be in the All Australian squad of 40 players next year.
Not sure on that one. If Balta can learn to understand n read the nuances of the game while he grows his tank, then he's got just as much upside as Shai. Totally different types of player n talent, but I reckon if can put it together Balta has the capacity to brutalise games.
Will be a sight to behold if both Shai n Balta can reach their full potential.
