Richmond star Shai Bolton is set to turn is back on big-money offers to return home and re-sign with the Tigers, according to AFL journalist Jon Ralph.
The West Australian is out of contract at season's end and has generated plenty of interest back home with deals tabled estimated to be worth around $800,000 a season.
Itโs all about the dismount. Mark of the year so far for sure. Shai Bolton take a bow @FOXFOOTY pic.twitter.com/XnLVMNCDZC
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) May 7, 2021
However, Ralph reports that Bolton is set to remain at Punt Road in a show of loyalty to the Tigers.
โShai Bolton will stay at the Richmond Football Club, but it will take sacrifice and it will come late in the season,โ Ralph said on Fox Footy.
โDeals likely to be offered to him for up to $800,000 a season.
โHeโll need to sacrifice and his manager Ralph Carr will need to do the same as he did with Dustin Martin, which is bridge the gap in those massive offers with the commercial opportunities that come with big marks like tonight on the big stage for a big club like Richmond.โ
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Bolton's manager Ralph Carr last month raised eyebrows when talking about whether his client would be staying at Richmond or feel the need to head back home.
โMy feeling is he wonโt move from Tigerland. He will stay,โ Carr said.
โHe is a ripping kid and why would he want to go anywhere else.
โHe has only just turned 22 and his breakout year is probably this year.
โHe is a special player. He is just a beauty.โ
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Bolton has become one of the game's most exciting players to watch over the past two seasons and at just 22 years of age, is in-line for a big pay-day.
He will earn considerably less at Richmond than what he could make a the Eagles or Fremantle - who his dad played for.
However, success and loyalty seem to be high on the priority list for Bolton, who looks set to remain a Tiger for the time being.
Carr, who also manages Dustin Martin, is known for his ability to market his clients well enough to help cover the gap in the contracts they turn down as opposed to what they may sign to stay at their current club.
It is believed Carr will look to do the same with Bolton in order to maximise his client's value.
