AFL news: Tigers star Shai Bolton pleas for return of stolen premiership medals

Richmond superstar Shai Bolton has pleaded with the criminal that stole his premiership medals that they be returned, saying it would mean a lot to him and his family.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 24: Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton, Mabior Chol and Marlion Pickett of the Tigers celebrate with the Premiership Trophy during the 2020 AFL Grand Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Geelong Cats at The Gabba on October 24, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Heartbroken Richmond superstar Shai Bolton has issued a desperate plea to the criminal that stole his 2019 and 2020 AFL premiership medals to return his cherished gongs.

The Herald Sun can reveal that Bolton had both of his prized medallions from the flags he played in during the Tigers’ golden era taken from his Malvern home on December 18 last year.

Bolton, 24, was back in Perth when the break-in was committed.

The West Australian filed a burglary report to Victoria Police – but almost four months on felt he was no closer to seeing them again.

“It is very saddening to have items as cherished as my premiership medals taken this way,” Bolton said.

“If anyone has any information about where they could be or that could help towards them being returned, it would mean a lot to me and my family.”

Shai Bolton receives his 2019 premiership medal. Picture: AFL Photos

Victoria Police told the Herald Sun that investigations remained ongoing.

But Bolton and the Tigers have now gone public in the hope that public appeal helps convince the thief to give them back.

They want the medals returned to the Richmond Football Club or for anyone with information as to their whereabouts to contact the club.

Western Bulldogs premiership captain Easton Wood had his 2016 medal stolen from his Albert Park home in April, 2020.

Like Bolton, that break-in was also committed when Wood was away and a premiership watch, drone and a World War 1 service identification tag were also stolen.

Wood said at the time he had been planning on one day gifting his premiership medal to newborn daughter, Matilda.

However on grand final day that year, about six months after the burglary, Wood revealed the AFL had struck him an identical replica.

The league quietly asked Frankston business Cash’s Awards, which manufactures the AFL premiership cup and the medallions, to strike a fresh medal engraved for 2016.

It’s understood the AFL was previously unaware of Bolton’s situation.

The league is now expected to keep an eye on the police investigation, but would likely work with Bolton on a solution in due course if they are not returned.

Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli and Tom Lynch celebrate their 2020 premiership win. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Bolton was drafted in 2016, but burst on to the scene in 2019 as an explosive matchwinner in the Dustin Martin mould as the Tigers returned to the premiership dais.

In 2020 Bolton booted three goals in the first half of the club’s 31-point semi-final victory against St Kilda that put the club’s push for back-to-back flags back on track.

Bolton has placed fourth in Richmond’s best-and-fairest in each of the past three seasons.

The excitement machine has emerged as one of the league's most watchable talents, claiming the 2021 mark of the year and being a finalist for the 2022 goal of the year.