Richmond recruiting boss Matt Clarke is confident Shai Bolton can play for the Tigers in Round 1

RICHMOND recruiting boss Matt Clarke is confident the Tigers’ top pick, Shai Bolton, can push for selection in Round 1 of the 2017 season.

Shai Bolton playing for Western Australia in the Under 18 Championship. Picture: AFL Media

RICHMOND cast aside a tumultuous week by adding another blistering small forward to its ranks.

The Tigers surrendered their first-round pick in a trade for Dion Prestia but claimed South Fremantle speedster Shai Bolton at pick 29.

Bolton caught the eye with a bag of seven goals in the WAFL late this season.

New Tigers recruiting boss Matt Clarke said the prospect of Bolton and Daniel Rioli roaming the forward line in tandem was mouthwatering.

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“It changes our dynamic and we think Shane Edwards is going to continue to do that, too,” Clarke said.

“Daniel is more an aerobic beast, whereas Shai is going to play a bit closer to goal.

“His agility is amazing and he likes to jump on heads, but he probably won’t be allowed to do that. There are probably elements of Steven Motlop in what he can do - that ground ball twist and turn type of thing.”

Shai Bolton celebrates a goal for Western Australia. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Asked if he could play Round 1, Clarke said: “Yeah, I think he could. One of our guys is pretty confident he can. You don’t want to put any pressure on him but you don’t want to hold them back at all either.

“One thing about the coach (Damien Hardwick) is, if he thinks they are ready to go he’ll play them.”

The Tigers took big-bodied SANFL midfielder Jack Graham at pick 53 and Murray Bushrangers tall defender Ryan Garthwaite with their final selection (72).

Francis said Graham, this year’s Larke Medallist as best player in the national championships, could have an immediate impact at senior level.

“He’s a good character kid and a good leader,” he said.

Clarke said Garthwaite, likened to Hawks defender James Frawley, needed to work on his kicking technique but was rarely beaten one-on-one.

“He’s never going to be an elite kick by any stretch, but if we can get him to be a competent, safe kick at AFL level it will be good because he can really play on the big boys and compete,” Clarke said.

Originally published as Richmond recruiting boss Matt Clarke is confident Shai Bolton can play for the Tigers in Round 1