- Feb 11, 2016
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i loved when shai showed the ball to docherty. there'd been tension between them all night and i thought being a richmond man meant being who you are. it was awesome. Australian culture is weird sometimes.
Player Watch #29: Shai Bolton - Traded for picks 10,11&18
- Thread starter Grockadoc
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- Jan 3, 2012
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Need more of that
Karp3_dm
Brownlow Medallist
- Jun 29, 2018
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Reckon he’s about to tear a game apart
With dusty back, frees up Shai more and can see him exploding vs the handbaggers
With dusty back, frees up Shai more and can see him exploding vs the handbaggers
Frustrated Tiger
Norm Smith Medallist
More team focus, less individual brilliance at times.
FTP
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- Mar 24, 2021
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Hi Richmond fans,
I write AFL analysis with video breakdowns that are sent to big AFL fans each week. During the bye rounds, I decided to focus on a few player profiles on interesting players and the impact they are having on their side.
Shai Bolton was the focus this week.
I'll only post half the article here as it's long. If you'd like to read the full article - please click here Player Profile - Shai Bolton
If you like this kind of analysis, please subscribe to the newsletter! (it's free)
I’d be surprised if even the most casual AFL fan hadn’t heard of Shai Bolton at this point. He’s no secret. He’s the epitome of NBA superstar Dominique Wilkins' legendary nickname, the human highlight reel.
If Bolton isn’t kicking absurd goals on his opposite foot from the boundary line or taking Mark of the Year, he’s bursting out of packs, dodging tackles and taunting opposition players streaming into goal (we don’t condone this kind of behaviour at FTP headquarters Shai!).
Bolton has a claim to the title of most exciting player in the AFL. Yet, underneath the highlights and breathtaking moments is a seriously special player with substance and smarts to change a game.
Let’s start with the statistics in 2022:
18 disposals (10 contested disposals), 3 marks, 1.8 goals, 1 goal assist, 4 inside 50’s and 8 score involvements
What jumps out immediately is the unbelievable scoring impact Bolton has from his high disposal clip. Bolton ranks elite in all three important scoring statistics; goals, goal assists and score involvements. On average, Bolton has a score involvement 44% of the time he disposes of the ball, which at 18 disposals a game, is some pretty good odds.
To put those numbers into context, no other player in the AFL averages 18+ disposals, 2 goals and 7+ score involvements a game (Yes, it's specific). Yet, the only players around the mark are Zac Bailey, Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron and Isaac Heeney …. pretty good company.
Bolton’s 8 score involvements per game alone is an impressive feat. Only Petracca and Jeremy Cameron have had more in 2022. This has been incredibly valuable for a side that struggled to score points last year (11th).
So what about Bolton is so great?
Firstly, Bolton is a word class athlete.
Some AFL players are great athletes through singular traits, things like pace (Clark, Saad), verticality in the air (Howe, Heeney) or agility/elusiveness (Gresham, Neale). Very few players possess multiple traits. In fact, it’s even rarer when such traits are exhibited all at a high level. Bolton is that kind of athlete.
He is dynamic in his movement, both around the ball and in the air. He is quick and has line breaking pace with ball in hand. Few can catch Bolton once he gets momentum.
His big strength lies in his elusiveness and powerful change of direction. He's an expert at generating horizontal momentum, which is pivoting his body horizontally to exit traffic/congestion.
Players are so used to tackling what’s in front of them. If what’s in front of them can shift their body a metre to the left or right, it suddenly makes it very difficult to predict their next movement. Bolton does this all the time and you’ll often now see players just resort to hedging him a certain way instead of trying to tackle him.
It means Bolton can generate space that simply isn’t there for others. More importantly, it gives him time to make damaging decisions.
When a player possesses this kind of rare athleticism, it’s smart to play them close to goal. Bolton consistently turns an opportunity with little scoring potential into a goal for himself or a team mate. How many players have the strength, agility and composure to kick this kind of goal?
What's worse for an opposition team than a player that knows they have these capabilities? One that positions themselves in a dangerous areas to use those capabilities effectively.
Bolton ranks #1 in the AFL for Total F50 ground ball gets (just under 3 a game) and 7th in the AFL for shots on goal. Usually something good happens when Bolton has a F50 ground ball.
Bolton is a nightmare for any match up on his ground level presence alone.
But when you combine that with his capability to play above his height with a leap to take contested marks in the air, it makes Bolton a dual threat forward. Bolton averages at least one mark inside 50 per game, which is elite for a mid sized forward. What this ultimately means is Bolton has so many different avenues to impact the scoreboard.
This is absurd. Bolton flys to try and take this pack mark and then simultaneously roves the same pack.
Yet, the crazy thing is that Bolton does this while showing serious flashes of gamebreaking ability as a midfielder...
Read the full article above.
I write AFL analysis with video breakdowns that are sent to big AFL fans each week. During the bye rounds, I decided to focus on a few player profiles on interesting players and the impact they are having on their side.
Shai Bolton was the focus this week.
I'll only post half the article here as it's long. If you'd like to read the full article - please click here Player Profile - Shai Bolton
If you like this kind of analysis, please subscribe to the newsletter! (it's free)
Don’t Shai Away
I’d be surprised if even the most casual AFL fan hadn’t heard of Shai Bolton at this point. He’s no secret. He’s the epitome of NBA superstar Dominique Wilkins' legendary nickname, the human highlight reel.
If Bolton isn’t kicking absurd goals on his opposite foot from the boundary line or taking Mark of the Year, he’s bursting out of packs, dodging tackles and taunting opposition players streaming into goal (we don’t condone this kind of behaviour at FTP headquarters Shai!).
Bolton has a claim to the title of most exciting player in the AFL. Yet, underneath the highlights and breathtaking moments is a seriously special player with substance and smarts to change a game.
Let’s start with the statistics in 2022:
18 disposals (10 contested disposals), 3 marks, 1.8 goals, 1 goal assist, 4 inside 50’s and 8 score involvements
What jumps out immediately is the unbelievable scoring impact Bolton has from his high disposal clip. Bolton ranks elite in all three important scoring statistics; goals, goal assists and score involvements. On average, Bolton has a score involvement 44% of the time he disposes of the ball, which at 18 disposals a game, is some pretty good odds.
To put those numbers into context, no other player in the AFL averages 18+ disposals, 2 goals and 7+ score involvements a game (Yes, it's specific). Yet, the only players around the mark are Zac Bailey, Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron and Isaac Heeney …. pretty good company.
Bolton’s 8 score involvements per game alone is an impressive feat. Only Petracca and Jeremy Cameron have had more in 2022. This has been incredibly valuable for a side that struggled to score points last year (11th).
So what about Bolton is so great?
Firstly, Bolton is a word class athlete.
Some AFL players are great athletes through singular traits, things like pace (Clark, Saad), verticality in the air (Howe, Heeney) or agility/elusiveness (Gresham, Neale). Very few players possess multiple traits. In fact, it’s even rarer when such traits are exhibited all at a high level. Bolton is that kind of athlete.
He is dynamic in his movement, both around the ball and in the air. He is quick and has line breaking pace with ball in hand. Few can catch Bolton once he gets momentum.
His big strength lies in his elusiveness and powerful change of direction. He's an expert at generating horizontal momentum, which is pivoting his body horizontally to exit traffic/congestion.
Players are so used to tackling what’s in front of them. If what’s in front of them can shift their body a metre to the left or right, it suddenly makes it very difficult to predict their next movement. Bolton does this all the time and you’ll often now see players just resort to hedging him a certain way instead of trying to tackle him.
It means Bolton can generate space that simply isn’t there for others. More importantly, it gives him time to make damaging decisions.
When a player possesses this kind of rare athleticism, it’s smart to play them close to goal. Bolton consistently turns an opportunity with little scoring potential into a goal for himself or a team mate. How many players have the strength, agility and composure to kick this kind of goal?
What's worse for an opposition team than a player that knows they have these capabilities? One that positions themselves in a dangerous areas to use those capabilities effectively.
Bolton ranks #1 in the AFL for Total F50 ground ball gets (just under 3 a game) and 7th in the AFL for shots on goal. Usually something good happens when Bolton has a F50 ground ball.
Bolton is a nightmare for any match up on his ground level presence alone.
But when you combine that with his capability to play above his height with a leap to take contested marks in the air, it makes Bolton a dual threat forward. Bolton averages at least one mark inside 50 per game, which is elite for a mid sized forward. What this ultimately means is Bolton has so many different avenues to impact the scoreboard.
This is absurd. Bolton flys to try and take this pack mark and then simultaneously roves the same pack.
Yet, the crazy thing is that Bolton does this while showing serious flashes of gamebreaking ability as a midfielder...
Read the full article above.
Dr Tigris
Brownlow Medallist
peternorth
Moderator
- May 6, 2005
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seems rushed in front of goal. could now be a mental thing
- Nov 28, 2017
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He has to be better in front of goal he is getting many opportunities.
Same with Lynch how he dropped that in the goal square has me puzzled we lose by 3pts that's the game right there
It's all the little things that makes us lose games against the Swans, Geelong.
Same with Lynch how he dropped that in the goal square has me puzzled we lose by 3pts that's the game right there
It's all the little things that makes us lose games against the Swans, Geelong.
Shai Bolton has kicked 26 goals 24 behinds this year and his goal kicking from set shots has fallen way a bit
could easily have had 36/37 goals this year as alot of his misses have been very gettable goals
could easily have had 36/37 goals this year as alot of his misses have been very gettable goals
Some of his goals have been very missable as well.
He definitely should have converted a few more and from the shots he has taken 30.20 should have been about his wcs. Something for Shai to work on.
Muddiemoose
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- Aug 24, 2017
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Seems like at least once a week he misses an easy snap from 10m out because he just rushes his routine
No issues with him taking the snap over the drop punt if that’s his preference but wish he would at least compose himself
peternorth
Moderator
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I don’t feel he’s aligned at the snap. Walk away , back to the goal then quick steps to right and snap.
Grockadoc
Brownlow Medallist
- Jul 25, 2008
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Yes, he is missing some gettable ones, but there was one absolute positive I loved on Saturday.
Did anyone notice on one of his goals, the passion he displayed? Massive roar and grabbed his jumper and gave it a tug. Any little doubt I had about him leaving was gone. Can't fake that passion.
Did anyone notice on one of his goals, the passion he displayed? Massive roar and grabbed his jumper and gave it a tug. Any little doubt I had about him leaving was gone. Can't fake that passion.
Yes i pointed that out to my daughter at the time also and re watched it a few times
Maybe he was trying to take that jumper off to reveal his freo jumper under it
- Aug 8, 2009
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His marking was that good on Saturday. Plays an extra tall.
Our best player. Is building every week. Guaranteed AA and I think he is in for a massive next few months.
Nightmare match up for opposition defenders. Strong overhead, quick, tough and great below his knees.
Nightmare match up for opposition defenders. Strong overhead, quick, tough and great below his knees.
Shai Bolton Is One of The Best Players in the AFL
Richmond's Shai Bolton has become one of the most complete offensive players in the AFL.
www.statsinsider.com.au
Thanks for sharing....Shai Bolton Is One of The Best Players in the AFL
Richmond's Shai Bolton has become one of the most complete offensive players in the AFL.www.statsinsider.com.au
Why Shai Bolton may be Richmond's most important player in their push to make finals return
As the Tigers continue their quest to reach the AFL finals, Bolton is shaping as the key to their chances of tasting September action, writes Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson.
www.abc.net.au
