Richmond won’t be entertaining a trade for one of its biggest stars.
The Tigers have shut down any sort of trade involving Shai Bolton after a recent report linked the 25-year old West Australian to Fremantle.
Channel 9’s Xander McGuire reported the Dockers were plotting a “stunning trade raid” on Bolton, who’s contracted until the end of the 2028 season.
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However speaking on Fox Footy on Thursday night, Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph clarified that Tigers would “not be entertaining any trade,” while Bolton’s management was also “adamant” Bolton wouldn’t be moving anywhere given he’s contracted until 2028.
“I don’t think there’s anything in it with Shai. He loves being around the club and is a contracted player,” Richmond footy boss Tim Livingstone told Fox Footy, per Ralph.
“He is very important to us and we’re not reading anything into it.”
A two-time premiership player, Bolton has played 125 games for Richmond since making his debut in 2017.
Perth journalist Ryan Daniels also poured cold water on the deal.
“It’s the first Fremantle has heard of it … Bolton’s team have explored options with Richmond but it’s not going any further,” he said on Triple M.
“The Tigers have shut it down.”
FIVE-TEAM RACE FOR MOYLE AS SUNS ‘EXPECT ASSAULT’ ON GUN
Adelaide, Collingwood and Melbourne are among a five-club race for Suns deputy ruckman Ned Moyle, per the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph.
Moyle, 22, is out of contract at season’s end and has impressed in his three senior games for the Suns this year — all games Jarrod Witts has missed.
While Moyle’s preference is reportedly to remain at the Gold Coast, rival clubs are circling the emerging ruckman including a “concerted bid” from Adelaide “as a successor for Reilly O’Brien,” according to Ralph.
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“They’re following through on their desire to be a very aggressive party through the trade period,” Ralph said of the Crows.
“(Moyle) has as many as five suitors, Collingwood and Melbourne are among them.
“Certainly playing great football in the absence of Jarrod Witts. I don’t think he’s entertained those prospects yet, I think he would ideally love to stay.
“But Witts has a two-year contract he only recently signed … it shows Adelaide know it needs rack backup with O’Brien, 28, potentially with his best football past him”
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It comes after O’Brien was a surprise omission ahead of Adelaide’s surprising home loss to Richmond on Thursday night.
O’Brien’s replacement, Kieran Strachan, 28 was subbed out of the game at three-quarter time due to a groin injury.
Ralph also reported Gold Coast is “expecting a sustained assault” on Jack Lukosius from the Crows.
He revealed the South Australian’s preference is to remain at the Suns, but it’s not clear whether Gold Coast is “desperate to keep him.”
Reports last month stated Lukosius, contracted at the Suns until 2026, was seen as “gettable” at season’s end.
The swingman was drafted with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 National Draft.