Pick 29: Shai Bolton

[TigerMasochist]

Regularly makes the impossible appear breath takingly simple then moments later completely stuff up what you'd expect an under 12's player to accomplish.
He's now on the smelly big fat contract so it's time that he figures out if he wants to be one of the best players the game as seen or just another erratic and flaky coodabeen.
Got more natural flair and talent, with his eyes closed than just about anyone in the game. But sadly lacking in consistency.

 

[Carter]

I’ll throw a question at PRE. If we are to assume that there might be a period of time before we are challenging top four again, what is the better scenario for us:

1) hang on to Bolton, he is a match winner, generational talent and will still be in his prime when we launch again

2) trade him to a desperate wannabe contender (Essendon, St Kilda, Fremantle) for pick 1 and take potentially the first two picks to the ND whilst also freeing up cap space for a cadman type

 

[TigerMasochist]

2) trade him to a desperate wannabe contender (Essendon, St Kilda, Fremantle) for pick 1 and take potentially the first two picks to the ND whilst also freeing up cap space for a cadman type

So who's seriously expecting any of those three teams to have pick 1 in the draft available to trade??? Right now we're more of a chance of being in for a first 3 pick than any of those clubs so they'd have to be looking at giving up plenty to get their hands on pick 1.

 

[spook]

How does a contender get pick 1?

 

[Carter]

How does a contender get pick 1?

Step 1 - say Shai is gettable but at a premium

A wannabe contender could conceivably package up picks to a bottom feeder like a hawthorn or NM

Couple of top tenners not out of the question

Or

Alistair Clarkson could decide in his infinite wisdom that nmfc have loaded up on enough picks and are ready to soar, like a bird, on the strength of Shai.

and hand over their pick 1 or pick 2.

 

[tigerman]

I’ll throw a question at PRE. If we are to assume that there might be a period of time before we are challenging top four again, what is the better scenario for us:

1) hang on to Bolton, he is a match winner, generational talent and will still be in his prime when we launch again

2) trade him to a desperate wannabe contender (Essendon, St Kilda, Fremantle) for pick 1 and take potentially the first two picks to the ND whilst also freeing up cap space for a cadman type

We would probably have to pay some of his contract, is contracted until the end of October 2028.

 

[Scoop]

Bolton is a 20 touch, goal and a half a game HFF/MID. They are *smile* rare birds. He averages two or three tackles.

He has been, since the dawn of time, about 40% around goal.

25yo. Very much a known quantity. He was diabolical against the Black Hole Suns.

Last night he had 18 and three tackles. One behind from three shots. He'd usually be 1.1 and one on the full.

Mistakes are overrated but Bolton's hurt us more than usual last night. That's why he's in the sin bin with fans. If he kicks one lousy *smile* goal we win.

Life is easier when we accept the rules of the cosmos. Bolton is about 40% around goal from anywhere. He let us down for two touches and one lousy *smile* goal. That really hurt.

BTW he is getting much more attention than usual and Yze seems to be working him more central and closer to goal. It's Round Phoney in a long season.

Yeah, you don't trade the rarest two commodities in football, pace and goal kicking.

Absolute star. You can't find them fast enough. We need another 3 Bolton's, one in every sector of the ground, not take one out.

When a player is a freak, he does both good and bad freakishly well.

 

[Carter]

Yeah, you don't trade the rarest two commodities in football, pace and goal kicking.

Absolute star. You can't find them fast enough. We need another 3 Bolton's, one in every sector of the ground, not take one out.

When a player is a freak, he does both good and bad freakishly well.

Yep, agree he is a star.

But the question isn’t really about that.

The question is will he be a part of the next tilt?

If not, why not use him to finance the next tilt?

 

[theglove3]

When a player is a freak, he does both good and bad freakishly well.

Similar to our lovable Rogue Richo, Scoop?

Was once described as " A Flawed Genius" the big Cho.

You reckon $hai can be that good?
At the moment there is more Bad than Good in his game.
A lot more Bad than Good.

Funny connection between the 2 in Goal kicking shoot out $hai v Miller.
Cho was interviewing $hai.
Exuded arrogance in how easily he won the match up, only requiring one kick to win the comp.

Pity he missed that soda last night.

 

[mad_tiggy911]

Loves coasting imo.

 

[ToraToraTora]

Does Shai have.....gulp.....Loser Brain?

 

[spook]

Does Shai have.....gulp.....Loser Brain?

No.

 

[MD Jazz]

He's schizophrenic?

 

[daniel30]

Cut the show pony stuff and play the percentages yesterday was awful.

 

[ANDREW]

We should consider making Shai a vice captain, it might snap him out of his laid back approach to his footy. More responsibility may make him a better player .

He is so frustrating to watch .

 

[Tigers of Old]

I’ll throw a question at PRE. If we are to assume that there might be a period of time before we are challenging top four again, what is the better scenario for us:

1) hang on to Bolton, he is a match winner, generational talent and will still be in his prime when we launch again

2) trade him to a desperate wannabe contender (Essendon, St Kilda, Fremantle) for pick 1 and take potentially the first two picks to the ND whilst also freeing up cap space for a cadman type

Not sure I agree with (2) but it's an interesting call worthy at least of consideration.

 

[Coburgtiger]

I waver so much on Bolton.

I believe he can be the best player in the competition. More than can. It's likely that he will be in a year soon.

But he makes egregious errors you wouldn't expect from your worst players. All the more egregious because he is so good.

He's had stretches of 4 or 5 games where he is the best player going around. But smaller patches where he's deplorable. I often attempt to be measured in that assessment. Is he deplorable by his standards? Or by a regular players standards.

To me, it still feels like immaturity is the gap between almost and greatness.

But that becomes less likely each year. He still has a couple of seasons to hit peak.

I would not trade a 24 year old Bolton for pick 1. What is pick 1?

I'd rather a 30 year old Bolton than a 24 year old Andy McGrath. At any stage of premiership window.

I'm still wavering. Brain is not certain enough of the benefit to overrule a steadfast heart.

Plus, it's round 1.

 

[bairdy380]

You don’t curtail genius, you just harness it the best way possible… the ol risk versus reward chestnut
Application of the harness, that’s another discussion

 

[houstontiger]

I waver so much on Bolton.

I believe he can be the best player in the competition. More than can. It's likely that he will be in a year soon.

But he makes egregious errors you wouldn't expect from your worst players. All the more egregious because he is so good.

He's had stretches of 4 or 5 games where he is the best player going around. But smaller patches where he's deplorable. I often attempt to be measured in that assessment. Is he deplorable by his standards? Or by a regular players standards.

To me, it still feels like immaturity is the gap between almost and greatness.

But that becomes less likely each year. He still has a couple of seasons to hit peak.

I would not trade a 24 year old Bolton for pick 1. What is pick 1?

I'd rather a 30 year old Bolton than a 24 year old Andy McGrath. At any stage of premiership window.

I'm still wavering. Brain is not certain enough of the benefit to overrule a steadfast heart.

Plus, it's round 1.

Totally agree Coburg.

I call Shai the AFL's version of Nick Kyrgios. Have to just take him for what he is...an inconsistent, sometime undisciplined, always frustrating Genius. He can win us a Davis Cup one week then lose a first round match to a qualifier the next.

But I love him. As you say, I'll take one Shai (Nick Kyrgios) Bolton's over 1000 Andy (Todd Woodbridge) McGrath's any day.

Some want him traded...no point having icing without cake. I'm the opposite...no point having cake without icing. Shai will never be flour and eggs. He is sugar baby. We all crave it!

Enjoy him for what he is.

 

[momentai]

Dropped the ball in the dying minutes close to goal which sealed the loss.

He made mistakes but I think you are all being too critical. Get off his back.
He is playing the game at a very high level
because he has great ability and imagination or flair or call it what you want.
He sees opportunities and for the most part he takes them. His skills come with certain limitations but he is trying to do as well as he can. He is not trying to fail his team mates. The opposite is true.