AFL trade news: Sides 'sniffing around' out-of-contract Tiger Shai Bolton

“It’s hard to lure some of these players when they win three premierships and play at a great club like Richmond.”

EDITOR | June 12, 2021 - 11:09am

Western Australian clubs are understood to be "sniffing around" out-of-contract Richmond star Shai Bolton in what would be potential interest to lure the flashy Tiger home to WA.

Drafted from South Fremantle in 2016, Bolton has long been linked to a move back west, with his current run of form adding significant value to his next deal.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick and the Tigers remain confident the 22-year-old will turn down lucrative offers from circling rivals to remain at Punt Road past 2021.

Former West Coast forward Peter Sumich has stated that while he would prefer to see Bolton remain in the yellow and black, the interest from Western Australian clubs will remain persistent.

“Both WA clubs will be sniffing around for sure. He’s a class act, class player,” Sumich said on Fox Sports' AFL Tonight.

“He really changed the game with Dusty Martin late there last week against Essendon and got the Tigers going with a couple of great goals.

“He’d be a welcome player to WA, whether it’s at the Eagles or Fremantle, but we’ll wait and see. It’s hard to lure some of these players when they win three premierships and play at a great club like Richmond.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 26: Shai Bolton of the Tigers and Mason Cox of the Magpies in action during the 2019 AFL round 19 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I like to see players stay at one club – especially when they do when a premiership – I think they owe it to the club even in a rebuild to stay there. If they haven’t won a premiership at a club, no problems, look to go to a (rival) club to win one.

“Shai’s already won a couple so you’d think he’d stay at this stage.”

It is understood that Bolton and the Tigers are currently facing a slow period in their negotiations, with the Richmond speedster set to hold on on making an official decision on his future until the end of the season.

Bolton has sprung into a new level of form in 2021, playing a key role under Hardwick in the absence of veteran midfielders.