Here’s some really scary news for Richmond’s 17 AFL rivals . . . Shai Bolton can get much better.

That’s Tigers coach Damien Hardwick’s opinion of the young excitement machine, who is enjoying his best season at the game’s highest level in 2022.

Bolton is averaging 19.0 disposals, 2.0 goals, 3.8 marks, 4.4 clearances, 3.1 centre clearances, 5.0 clearances, 7.6 score involvements and 388.1 metres gained per match this season.

The 23-year-old dual premiership Tiger was the catalyst for his team’s revival in yesterday’s clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.

Richmond had fallen 25 points behind the Hawks early in the second quarter and was staring right down the barrel, but Bolton stepped up in trademark brilliant style to turn the tide of the contest.

Following a quiet opening quarter, where he managed to collect just one disposal, Bolton exploded during the second term with 12 touches, six inside-50s, one goal, two score assists and three tackles in a dazzling display.

He finished the match, which the Tigers won by 23 points, with 20 disposals, four marks, four clearances, three centre clearances, eight inside-50s, seven tackles, two goals, eight score involvements and 422 metres gained.

 “Funnily enough, it was all related to his defensive intent,” Hardwick said of Bolton’s turnaround after quarter-time.

“He probably wasn’t as good as he could have been that first quarter. Xavier (assistant coach Xavier Clarke) gave him a little bit of a rocket and he got to work.

“Shai, offensively, is stunning, brilliant. Defensively, when he plays to that level, his game becomes to the elite level.

“He’ll realise that, and he’ll grow, and he’ll mature . . . When he does those simple things really well, defensively, he becomes an incredible player.

“Don’t get me wrong, he still played a good game today, but he can still get so much better in a lot of areas of his game, which is harsh. But we see him, and what he can become, and he can be quite special.”

Hardwick outlined why Bolton is such a difficult match-up for opponents . . .

“At ground level, he can do things that not many players can. And then you look at him aerially as well, and he’s exactly the same.

“He can go in at stoppage and if you sit off him he’ll hurt you. But then, one-on-one, he’s quite damaging up forward also.

“So, we’re fortunate to have players like Shai that can make things happen.”