Shai Bolton reaches 100-game milestone in thrilling one-point defeat against Essendon

Katanning-born premiership player Shai Bolton played his 100th game for Richmond in a thrilling one-point loss to Essendon on Saturday at the MCG.

The milestone was a special moment for Bolton, played in the annual Dreamtime game at the ‘G during Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

A proud Noongar man, Bolton was born in Katanning and raised in Forrestdale before moving to Mandurah in his teenage years. He is a dual premiership player and life member with the Tigers.

Coming from a strong football bloodline, Bolton’s father Darren won the 1998 best and fairest award at Peel Thunder and played two matches for Fremantle in 1999 while his uncle, Allistair Pickett, is a dual Sandover medallist.

Bolton was outstanding in the 10.11 (71) to 10.10 (70) defeat, gathering 28 touches, laying seven tackles and booting two goals.