Dedicated WA talent Shai Bolton set to realise AFL dream
Dale Miller, PerthNow
November 22, 2016 3:48pm
RECRUITERS watching Shai Bolton have seen his speed and mercurial talent.
He is hoping they have also noticed his dedication.
An electric showing in this year’s inaugural under-18 All-Stars exhibition match has catapulted the 17-year-old into the frame as an early second-round selection in Friday’s national draft.
Bolton’s marking ability, explosive pace and tackling pressure have drawn comparisons to idol and Norm Smith medallist Cyril Rioli.
But the South Fremantle forward is at pains to point out he has the work ethic to go with his X-factor, saying he can survive the call of home that affects many young Aboriginal players drafted out of WA. The son of former Fremantle midfielder Darren Bolton, the teenager spent more than three years boarding away from family at Wesley College.
This year he made an 80-minute round journey from Mandurah at least three days a week for training at Fremantle Oval.
Having picked the brains of good friend and Carlton trade recruit Jarrod Pickett, Bolton knows to expect hours in the gym to prepare his light 178cm frame for the elite level.
“Obviously everyone’s going to get homesick now and then, but I’ll be able to deal with it,” Bolton said. “It’s pretty much been my dream since I was little to make the AFL.
“Mum always dropped me off at training and took me to games, but as soon as I turned 17 I ended up getting my licence. I didn’t want to rely on Mum any more.
“I drove up to Fremantle three days a week. I made sure I was at training early.”
An invitation to join the State under-18 academy program convinced Bolton he could make it in the AFL.
It was the boost of confidence he needed after being diagnosed with stress fractures in his back and being forced to sit out football for all of 2015.
“It was pretty tough, but I put all my effort into my recovery for my back,” Bolton said. “I’ve done everything I could to make myself right for this year.”
The diligence has been worth it. Bolton finished this year with a bang, booting four goals in each of his two colts finals for South Fremantle.
Then in the All-Stars match at Punt Road on grand final eve, Bolton collected 16 disposals, seven inside 50s and a goal. The performance prompted a string of calls from AFL clubs.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/dedicated-wa-talent-shai-bolton-set-to-realise-afl-dream/news-story/5b0b1ca2dfde99d85ca3d485365ce20e
