Pick 29: Shai Bolton | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Pick 29: Shai Bolton

James

Tiger Rookie
Sep 11, 2016
362
86
He is 20 years of age and because of his ability and youth his retention is very important.
His combination of speed and skill is elite.
Getting his signature on a 2 to 5 yr deal should be given absolute priority.
 
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Bullarto Tiger

Tiger Legend
Mar 17, 2012
10,015
4,363
He is 20 years of age and because of his ability and youth his retention is very important.
His combination of speed and skill is elite.
Getting his signature on a 2 to 5 yr deal should be given absolute priority.

Two years, maximum, at this stage.
RFC won't be stooged by Carr on his contract.
Have said previously that Bolton would be crazy to leave Richmond.
The Club and the brotherhood will make him a really good player if he has the desire and application to succeed.
If he wants to chase $$ that he's not yet worthy of then good luck to him.
 

James

Tiger Rookie
Sep 11, 2016
362
86
It’s called a market.
No one complained when we paid over the top for Dusty especially after he went on to play one of the best final series ever.
Those around him will tell Shai he is entitled to push RFC to seek what he will be offered elsewhere. And you are wrong to think players go around telling each other what to do in contract negotiations.
We also have a situation where Clubs systematically refuse to push still uncontracted players into the pre- season draft. As a result it is much more like a house auction than ever previously.
As a supporter I don’t like it any more than you do but imo Shai’s real value is such that Ralph has us by the shorts.
 
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TigerMasochist

Walks softly carries a big stick.
Jul 13, 2003
25,569
11,445
Two years, maximum, at this stage.
RFC won't be stooged by Carr on his contract.
Have said previously that Bolton would be crazy to leave Richmond.
The Club and the brotherhood will make him a really good player if he has the desire and application to succeed.
If he wants to chase $$ that he's not yet worthy of then good luck to him.
Nailed it B.T.
Shai's got plenty of talent but is yet to nail down the performance consistency bit. Two years on reasonable coin, then if he matures as expected. He'll be lined up for the bigger asking deal of possibly four or five years as an experienced n reliable 22/ 23 y.o. player. Footy world could be his oyster when he's ready. Push to hard for the big money deal with us or as trade while he's still inexperienced and inconsistent could simply bring down a mountain of pressure that he's not capable of handling just yet. Think the Tom Boyd scenario, all the money, all the hype, yet he's walked away from the big game to play with the nuffers in a suburban league n have some fun.
 

AngryAnt

Tiger Legend
Nov 25, 2004
27,017
14,792
It’s called a market.
No one complained when we paid over the top for Dusty especially after he went on to play one of the best final series ever.
Those around him will tell Shai he is entitled to push RFC to seek what he will be offered elsewhere. And you are wrong to think players go around telling each other what to do in contract negotiations.
We also have a situation where Clubs systematically refuse to push still uncontracted players into the pre- season draft. As a result it is much more like a house auction than ever previously.
As a supporter I don’t like it any more than you do but imo Shai’s real value is such that Ralph has us by the shorts.

yes, except being a footballer is also a job, and you have colleagues and a work enviroment, and the company you work for is great, OK, or *smile*. When I think about changing jobs I think about all these things as well as the number representing $$ on my digital paycheck.
 

James

Tiger Rookie
Sep 11, 2016
362
86
TM and AM
I accept that you may have reservations about committing to Shai for a period longer than 2 years. I can also accept that you may think that objectively he would be foolish to leave the Tigers even if he can make bigger coin elsewhere.
The point however is that if other clubs come up with bigger offers than we might think reasonable, as occurred with Dusty and North, those offers will move Shai’s value up, maybe not to the level of the offer, but up and we will wind up having to pay more to keep him.
I hope they are giving priority to this now and as in Dusty’s case it is settled sooner rather than later.
He hasn’t been at his best in the wet, probably because he hasn’t had much experience in the wet, but his skills are elite and we just can’t afford to muck this up.
 

AngryAnt

Tiger Legend
Nov 25, 2004
27,017
14,792
TM and AM
I accept that you may have reservations about committing to Shai for a period longer than 2 years. I can also accept that you may think that objectively he would be foolish to leave the Tigers even if he can make bigger coin elsewhere.
The point however is that if other clubs come up with bigger offers than we might think reasonable, as occurred with Dusty and North, those offers will move Shai’s value up, maybe not to the level of the offer, but up and we will wind up having to pay more to keep him.
I hope they are giving priority to this now and as in Dusty’s case it is settled sooner rather than later.
He hasn’t been at his best in the wet, probably because he hasn’t had much experience in the wet, but his skills are elite and we just can’t afford to muck this up.

No opinion on short or long contract. I trust the club to sort it out at a price that suits both parties.
 

James

Tiger Rookie
Sep 11, 2016
362
86
Very solid game. His running contributed to a number of goals. In a year or two his strength will chime in and he will be unstoppable.
 
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year of the tiger

Tiger Legend
Mar 26, 2008
9,445
6,512
Tasmania
Does well and liked his game. He is starting to make those around him look better which is unreal for a 20 year old.

Could see him turn it on in one of our finals games this year - he has the poise and skills to run amock.
 
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achillesjones

"just kick it to Royce"
Apr 19, 2004
3,528
2,937
Needs to work on his field kicking. Must practise low faster passes. He tends to kick like Cotchy used to. Dinky passes that set up your teammates to get clobbered. Young and should learn in the next few seasons.