‘Astonishing’ detail as premiership winner leaves Tigers, moves west

Shai Bolton has locked in a move to Western Australia with the former Tiger leaving the club with an “astonishing” farewell gift.

Shai Bolton has locked in a move to Fremantle as Richmond continues to assemble the biggest draft pick war chest seen in 14 years.

It was confirmed in August the mercurial forward wanted to be traded back home to Perth, despite having signed a monster, long-term deal in 2022.

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Bolton’s preference was a move to the Dockers and his wish was granted on Wednesday morning.

According to reports, the paperwork of a deal between the Dockers and Tigers is ready to be handed to the AFL from 2pm (AEDT) — when the league will be open to conduct business on the trade period’s final day.

The deal will see the Dockers hand over picks 10, 11 and 18. The Perth club will receive Bolton, pick 14 and a future third round pick.

Shai Bolton of the Richmond Tigers in action. Picture: Mark Stewart.

The Tigers are also expected to formalise a trade with the Gold Coast Suns for Daniel Rioli on Wednesday in a deal that could see the Tigers add picks 6 and 23 to their war chest.

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph described the Tigers’ haul of picks as “astonishing”.

“Here is the deal: (Picks) 10, 11, 18 to Richmond and Bolton, pick 14 and a future 3rd rounder to Freo,” Ralph wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Richmond’s draft hand by this afternoon. (Picks) 1, 6, 10, 11, 18 20, 23, 24. Astonishing.

“Eight picks within 24. They will hand back three late picks to Gold Coast for a Rioli deal that roughly equates to pick six and 47 on points value but sees them securing picks 6 and 23.”

It is an incredible “farewell gift” for Rioli and Bolton to leave behind at Punt Road.

It was pointed out by leading footy reporter Callum Twomey the Tigers’ draft hand is comparable to the draft concessions given to the Giants and Suns when they entered the competition.

Spot the difference 👀🐯

The Tigers' draft hand after this trade period is easily at 'expansion club era' levels.

Gold Coast picks in 2010: 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13

GWS picks in 2011: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14

Richmond picks in 2024: 1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23, 24

— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) October 15, 2024

Bolton’s contract with the Tigers expired at the end of the 2028 season and was reported to be worth $6 million over five years.

It suggests the Dockers will be coughing up some serious salary cap space to get Bolton on their books.

The Tigers, meanwhile, are expected to continue their wheeling and dealing all the way through to the national draft.

The club reportedly does not intend to go to the draft with all of its eight picks inside the top 24. It will instead prioritise trying to sell off picks in order to move up the order and potentially make a play for the No. 2 overall pick.

Originally published as ‘Astonishing’ detail as premiership winner leaves Tigers, moves west