Following the announcement earlier this week of electrifying dual premiership Tiger Shai Bolton’s five-year contract extension with the Club, we rewind to an article Richmond Media published at the end of 2016, when the then promising teenage draftee was given the No. 29 Yellow and Black guernsey worn with such distinction in 403 games by Kevin Bartlett. The heading of that article was “Bartlett buoyant about Bolton”.

Richmond “Immortal” Kevin Bartlett is delighted the No. 29 guernsey he made famous throughout an outstanding 19-year career at Tigerland, which included five premierships, will be worn by exciting small forward Shai Bolton in his 2017 debut season with the Club.

Bolton, an emerging star at South Fremantle, was taken by the Tigers with their first pick (coincidentally No. 29) in the 2016 AFL national draft.

“I hope he turns out to be a lot better than me. From what they tell me, he has got exceptional pace and exceptional skills and is quite an impressive player,” Bartlett said.

“Shai obviously needs to spend some time in the gym, but if he can bring those attributes to the team over the next few years, that’s going to be a real bonus for the Club. 

“We need more players like that.”

Bolton, for his part, was thrilled to be the recipient of the No. 29 Yellow and Black guernsey – especially after his “Hungry” history lesson that the Club provided him with . . .

“I would be proud to be wearing any Richmond jumper – I’m just happy to be drafted,” he said.

“But to be able to wear his number is a massive honour.

“They showed me a video of him and told me he kicked seven goals in a Grand Final (1980) and that he played the third most games ever.”