Richmond VFL and development coach Craig McRae assesses the development of the Tigers’ first pick in last year’s AFL National Draft, exciting small forward Shai Bolton, in this week’s ‘Coaches’ Corner’.
Impressive progress in his debut AFL season
“He’s grown a lot in his tenure here. In the pre-season, you saw straight away what he’s good at and why we drafted him . . . The way he moves, he just lights up the track. He’s an unbelievable talent, and it’s been good to watch him getting the work-rate to go with that.”
His crumbing ability
“We talk about ‘10 to two’ at the contest . . . turning up there and moving through. And he’s certainly got a lot of talent around that part of his game.”
Areas of the game he’s working on
“His tackle pressure’s something he really prides himself on, as well. He’s training that because he’s not going to kick goals every week, so he has to make sure his pressure is consistent. It’s a fine balance because he’s so elusive being able to get around players . . . it’s whether you taken them on, or give the first give. That’s always a challenge for young players. So we’re working on that at the moment.”
Bouncing back brilliantly at VFL level recently
“That was really pleasing (five goals v Werribee two weeks ago) because he’d played AFL football and then got dropped for the first time in his career . . . How do you deal with that and how do you respond? He responded in the best way possible . . . good, strong work-rate, turning up to contests and then, obviously, showing everyone all his strengths.”
Playing up the ground
“I think the biggest thing for him at the moment, as an 18 year-old, is being able to do it for long periods . . . being able to play AFL intensity for long periods. But he’s working on that.”
Other facets of the game he’s working on
“We just talk about playing to his strengths all the time . . . Training those things out on the track, having good habits, and being consistent with his work ethic. So, hopefully, that all shines through in the last part of the year.”
Pressing for a return to senior ranks
“I know on the weekend (v Collingwood) he didn’t have quite the performance as what he had against Werribee. That happens . . . The opposition put a bit more attention into him and he got tagged. But he’s been spoken about at match committee again on the back of that performance against Werribee . . . When he’s at his best he just follows up . . . he turns up to the next contest. I think he’s in line to play AFL footy again.”
