Pick 29: Shai Bolton

[momentai]

We need players who can rise to the occasion and do things other players can't, to get us over the line.
Clearly Dusty has been such a player. Patience is needed.

Just my opinion but both Shai and Noah are also such players.

 

[Scoop]

Have we had the best out of Bolton?
Peak Bolton?
Should we test the waters out West too see what he's worth pick wise?
Feels like he's going through the motions after 2 flags.
Does he need a new challenge to get the best out of himself?
And do we need to do it too revitalise our list?

24 year old unicorn. 1 of 1. I think we‘ve seen 70% peak Shai and we haven’t seen peak Shai for longer than two weeks.

I think his effort has been ok this year, his role is being redefined slightly.

Only a fool would cash out on Shai now, we have two pair kings & aces with the river card to be flipped. Hold, let’s see what happens. Either way we have a winning hand, how good it ends up is the question.

 

[TigerMasochist]

We need players who can rise to the occasion and do things other players can't, to get us over the line.
Clearly Dusty has been such a player. Patience is needed.

Just my opinion but both Shai and Noah are also such players.

The Cummerbund has played barely a handful of games, patience and time are available. Also, while he's got some serious natural footy instincts I'm not to sure he's in the generational talent arena of the Dusty one and Shai.
Dusty has completely fulfilled and developed his talents and has proven over the years to be an elite of the game.
Shai while showing different abilities to Dusty is comparable in pure talent. As a 24 year old with almost 100 games under the belt one would be expecting a higher level of consistent performance yet is still just as patchy and flaky in games as he was in his first year or two. Massive gap in the level of his performances still, either breathtakingly good or frustratingly inept far to often.

 

[DuD_Delist]

24 year old unicorn. 1 of 1. I think we‘ve seen 70% peak Shai and we haven’t seen peak Shai for longer than two weeks.

I think his effort has been ok this year, his role is being redefined slightly.

Only a fool would cash out on Shai now, we have two pair kings & aces with the river card to be flipped. Hold, let’s see what happens. Either way we have a winning hand, how good it ends up is the question.

Think we've seen the best of Shai.
Has the skill but like other Premiership stars i think the hunger isn't there.
New surroundings.

 

[momentai]

The Cummerbund has played barely a handful of games, patience and time are available. Also, while he's got some serious natural footy instincts I'm not to sure he's in the generational talent arena of the Dusty one and Shai.
Dusty has completely fulfilled and developed his talents and has proven over the years to be an elite of the game.
Shai while showing different abilities to Dusty is comparable in pure talent. As a 24 year old with almost 100 games under the belt one would be expecting a higher level of consistent performance yet is still just as patchy and flaky in games as he was in his first year or two. Massive gap in the level of his performances still, either breathtakingly good or frustratingly inept far to often.

I am not sure who it was but I suggested to someone, maybe furious, in 2019 that it was quite possible that Shai next to Dusty was our most likely to win a Norm Smith. An idea not so well received at that time.
Agree with you that he and of course Dusty have that level of ability.

Consistency looks to be an issue, but my sense is that his move to the midfield was necessary for greater team balance and will also assist him in that hff is a very difficult position to hit the play and collect possessions at each and every opportunity.
The position, to some extent at least, makes for the appearance of 'patchy'. Size and strength also a factor.

Shai is a midfielder.

 

[FitenFitenWin]

I am not sure who it was but I suggested to someone, maybe furious, in 2019 that it was quite possible that Shai next to Dusty was our most likely to win a Norm Smith. An idea not so well received at that time.
Agree with you that he and of course Dusty have that level of ability.

Consistency looks to be an issue, but my sense is that his move to the midfield was necessary for greater team balance and will also assist him in that hff is a very difficult position to hit the play and collect possessions at each and every opportunity.
The position, to some extent at least, makes for the appearance of 'patchy'. Size and strength also a factor.

Shai is a midfielder.

Finally.

 

[Coburgtiger]

Have we had the best out of Bolton?
Peak Bolton?
Should we test the waters out West too see what he's worth pick wise?
Feels like he's going through the motions after 2 flags.
Does he need a new challenge to get the best out of himself?
And do we need to do it too revitalise our list?

The talk of trading him out is madness.

He's an A grader. You don't lose A graders. The only one on our list currently with the potential to play like a Dusty or an Ablett.

Yes, he needs to be better. He's been on my negatives list for two years. Frustrates me about as much as any player out there. Very one way, very inconsistent, very undisciplined.

But he's constantly developing. He was all highlights, now he's a little more blue collar. He's been given bigger roles, moved higher up the pecking order. And he still does the freaky four or five times a game.

As a 25 to 30 year old, he could be the best player in the league. We need to support and work to get him there, not let him do that for another club.

 

[TigerMasochist]

Reckon Shai should be getting the 70 / 30 midfield forward split, similar to Dusty in all his pomp n glory, he's got enough talent. The thing that bothers me though is his failure to execute that final touch way to frequently.
Rocks up lookin like he's fangin a Lambo but way to often leaves ya with a couple of flat tyres n only a space saver spare.

 

[tigers80]

having a baby has thrown up all sorts of options.

 

[momentai]

Reckon Shai should be getting the 70 / 30 midfield forward split, similar to Dusty in all his pomp n glory, he's got enough talent. The thing that bothers me though is his failure to execute that final touch way to frequently.
Rocks up lookin like he's fangin a Lambo but way to often leaves ya with a couple of flat tyres n only a space saver spare.

Disagree.

 

[5SKULL5]

having a baby has thrown up all sorts of options.

Yes indeed it does, add to his medals being stolen from his house and also a wonderful mentor in Shane Edwards gone, it all might might be playing on Shai.

 

[Rantnrave]

Oh well

 

[UKTiger]

At times Shai plays the game on his terms and not necessarily for the team. A pity as he has talent to burn but we need to harness it

 

[caesar]

Were you blokes at the ground today or what? If you were and failed to notice or acknowledge the amount of running Shai did today and the overlap he provided you have blinkers on.
I were not seeing someone that wasn't trying only someone that was trying to create.

 

[Leysy Days]

Were you blokes at the ground today or what? If you were and failed to notice or acknowledge the amount of running Shai did today and the overlap he provided you have blinkers on.
I were not seeing someone that wasn't trying only someone that was trying to create.

Agree. Shai put in his shift. No doubt.

If he could just take the first basic option (including having a shot for goal) when entering inside 50 it would help him and the team no end though.

 

[Little Ziggyadee]

Were you blokes at the ground today or what? If you were and failed to notice or acknowledge the amount of running Shai did today and the overlap he provided you have blinkers on.
I were not seeing someone that wasn't trying only someone that was trying to create.

He was good. Can't blame him for the shitt others put in.
He tried.

 

[Tigers of Old]

I think Shai's actually going pretty well.
Just want him to get a bit more of the footy in the midfield.

 

[Mr Brightside]

I think Shai's actually going pretty well.
Just want him to get a bit more of the footy in the midfield.

I agree , however I see his level differently to most Tiger supporters.

Ive been a critic of his workrate , no doubt would have got a rocket of Dimma after the Sydney game , however I thought he’s workrate was good yesterday .

 

[AngryAnt]

shai was good yesterday. Needs to play mostly midfield now.

 

[Ian4]

I said 12 month ago, that while I would prefer him to stay, I think we’re gonna be overpaying him to keep him and should consider cashing in on Shai at the right price. I haven’t really budged on this. I hope we don’t regret this long term contract.

Shai has all the mercurial skills in the world but is not a match winner. He should have stepped up yesterday when we needed him. At 24, he needs to be more than "serviceable."