Brisbane Lions great Jason Akermanis is a big fan of Richmond’s Shai Bolton’s game.
Bolton, 23, had a career-best season in 2022, earning a maiden All-Australian blazer as he kicked 43 goals from 23 games.
Having developed into perhaps the hardest matchup in the competition, Akermanis says Bolton reminds him of the fastest player he ever played against, former Docker and Kangaroo Winston Abraham.
The 2001 Brownlow medallist even thinks Bolton is on the verge of becoming a “megastar” if he cleans up one flaw in his game.
“He’s very agile, but he’s got that over-striding gait,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“He’s got some wheels, he’s very quick, but he’s super quick between hand and foot.
“The quickest guy I ever played against was Winnie Abraham, he was unbelievable. You think you’d got him and before you knew it he already got the kick away. He was just a freak.
“I reckon Shai is in that mould. If his left foot was a little bit better, you know how good my left foot was when I needed it, but if he could just get that better he is going to be a megastar.”
While Bolton and Richmond’s season is over, the dynamic forward could still be in for more recognition as he’s been named a finalist for this year’s Goal of The Year award.
Bolton comes off contract at Richmond at the end of next season and Richmond powerbrokers will be desperate to extend his time at Punt Road.