Richmond has received a significant boost with gun youngster Shai Bolton committing to the Club long-term.
Bolton has put pen to paper on a new five-year contract extension this week, tying him to the Swinburne Centre until at least the end of 2028.
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The 24-year-old dual premiership player received his first All-Australian honours last season, reward for a career-best year as a dominant roaming forward and stoppage player.
Bolton averaged 18 disposals across the campaign and booted 43 goals and 41 behinds as a constant threat to opponents all over the ground. The electric Tiger ranked #3 in the AFL for score involvements and was behind only Tom Lynch at Richmond for shots at goal.
The West Australian product has maintained a continual upward trajectory at Richmond since being selected as a supremely skilled but raw teenager with pick No. 29 overall at the 2016 National Draft.
Bolton played mainly at VFL level for the Tigers in his first two seasons, developing his all-round game before emerging as a regular in the premiership-winning 2019 campaign.
Additional midfield time in 2020 saw the dynamic youngster emerge as one of the competition’s most damaging players and his standing among the game's elite has continued to grow over the past two seasons.
Bolton said that he could not see himself playing his football anywhere else.
“I have loved the Club since I got drafted. I love the culture here, all the boys, the coaching staff and playing at the MCG,” he added.
“It was pretty easy to decide in the end… I am super excited to stay here.”
Richmond General Manager- Football Talent Blair Hartley said the Club was thrilled to secure Bolton long-term.
“Shai is such an important part of our football program because of the person and player he is, so to have him commit for the next five years is brilliant news for everyone involved,” he said.
“He has worked tirelessly to elevate his game in each season he’s had with us. We are excited about what he can achieve individually and with us as a team as he continues to flourish as a footballer and leader.
“This contract rewards Shai’s hard work, and we are delighted to have him and his family at the Club for another five years.”
