SHAI BOLTON
Richmond Football Club
Shai Bolton is touted as one of the future superstars of AFL with the AFL Media labelling him as "on the verge of stardom" during the 2020 season.
With a strong footballing bloodline, Bolton began his ascention to professional football through an elite indigenous academy.
He represented Western Australia at the 2016 AFL Under 18 Championships, and drew interest for his "blazing speed" and "natural instinct for the game”.
Bolton was the first draft pick by Richmond in 2016 and played with their VFL reserves team in 2017 and much of 2018. By the end of 2018 it was noted he was above standard and finished with both goal and mark of the year.
2019 saw Shai become a more consistent member of the senior side and he finished what The Age and the Australian Associated Press labelled a "breakout" season by winning an AFL premiership.
In 2020 Bolton was best on ground in Richmond's Dreamtime in Darwin win over Essendon while the team wore an Indigenous artwork guernsey he had designed with the help of his family. Design and fashion is a developing passion and something we may see more of from him in the future.
2020 also saw Bolton became a dual premiership player with The Age noting Richmond's 31-point victory "came on the back of (his) brilliant second half".
Shai is involved with the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) at Richmond Football Club. The KGI a unique facility that embraces and affirms First Peoples Culture , and supports leadership development and celebrates the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. www.kgi.org.au
Shai also works with with www.cultureislife.org
HONOURS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Premiership player Richmond FC: 2019, 2020
YIOOKEN Award: 2020
AFL Rising Star nominee: 2019
Winner - Carlton Draught Man of The Match award Richmond/St.Kilda Semi Final Oct 9 2020
Games Played 50+
Shai Bolton Named in 2021 #22under22 Top 22 players under the age of 22 years old
Shai Bolton wins Mark of the Year 2021
Family ties mark special Sir Doug Nicholls Round for 'unbeatable' Bolton
Richmond star Shai Bolton speaks to AFL.com.au about his superb form and designing the Tigers' indigenous guernsey
LATEST MEDIA
SEN THE SURPRISING INFLUENCE ON BOLTON’S CONTRACT DECISION
RICHMOND FC BOLTON NAMED IN TOP 22 UNDER 22