Exciting small forward Shai Bolton will make his senior debut with Richmond in Saturday’s match against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium.
Bolton, who was the Tigers’ first pick (No. 29 overall) in the 2016 AFL National Draft, has produced some impressive performances at VFL level over the past few weeks.
He had 19 disposals and kicked a goal against unbeaten team Box Hill last Sunday, prompting Richmond’s VFL coach Craig McRae to comment on the Club’s website earlier this week, “His disposal numbers are good for a small forward and his pressure is there for everyone to see.”
The 175cm, 70kg, 18-year-old, recruited from WAFL club South Fremantle, is renowned for his blistering speed, high skill level, aerial ability and overall X-factor.
Richmond has made four other changes to the team that lost to Fremantle at the MCG last Sunday. Top midfielder Dion Prestia returns from two weeks on the sidelines because of a hamstring injury, while forward Sam Lloyd, young utility Connor Menadue and developing ruckman Ivan Soldo have been recalled to the line-up on the back of solid VFL form.
See how GWS will line up in Saturday evening's Round 9 clash at Spotless Stadium
They replace Daniel Butler, who has a groin injury, with Jake Batchelor, Oleg Markov, Corey Ellis and Todd Elton all being omitted.
The Tigers’ three emergencies for the Round 9 clash with GWS are Ellis, Jacob Townsend and Anthony Miles.
The Round 9 Richmond Team
B: Rance, Astbury, Grimes
HB: Short, Houli, B. Ellis
C: McIntosh, Edwards, Cotchin
HF: Martin, Rioli, Castagna
F: Riewoldt, Lambert, Lloyd
R: Nankervis, Grigg, Caddy
IC: Prestia, Bolton, Menadue, Soldo
Em: Townsend, Miles, C. Ellis
In: Prestia, Lloyd, Bolton, Menadue, Soldo
Out: Butler (groin), Batchelor (omitted), Markov (omitted), C. Ellis (omitted), Elton (omitted)
New: Shai Bolton, 18-year-old, 175cm, 70kg small forward from WAFL club South Fremantle. Richmond’s first pick (No. 29 overall) in the 2016 AFL National Draft
