Dockers star giving former boss Hardwick headaches
Knowing Shai Bolton is one thing, stopping him is another.
It's a conundrum Damien Hardwick is wrestling with as he readies high-flying Gold Coast for Saturday's home clash with Fremantle.
Bolton, who starred in two Richmond premierships under Hardwick, has shown glimpses of his match-winning best in Dockers colours this season.
"He's a bit of a barometer for them," Suns coach Hardwick said on Thursday.
"When he's in good form, they're in good form.
"We have an understanding and we showed some vision of Shai at his best and what that looks like.
"We've got a fair idea of how he plays the game and what his strengths are.
"It's good to know, tough to stop."
Bolton was dubbed Fremantle's missing piece in their hunt for a maiden premiership when he secured a move home to Western Australia during last year's trade period.
He starred with 24 disposals and three goals in a shock away win over GWS a fortnight ago, and has been a key figure in the Dockers' 6-4 start to the season.
"He's a wonderful player and has been a great addition for their footy club," Hardwick said.
"He's one I'm making sure that won't play, hopefully, that well against us. But he's very hard to stop."
Hardwick noted one of Bolton's main weapons is his versatility - an ability to hurt opponents through the midfield and closer to goal.
"We're going to have some challenges with that," Hardwick said.
"The communication of our backs is going to be really important, but those back six or seven have been playing together for the majority of the year.
"So we're relatively confident that we're going to get a pleasing result with that."
Quizzed on possible match-ups for Bolton, Hardwick nominated unsung defenders Bodhi Uwland and Wil Powell.
"Powell's an unbelievable player," Hardwick said.
"I think I knew how good he was, but until you see him up close, he's capable of playing on anyone.
"He can play on talls and smalls, and he's done a wonderful job on those smaller players over the last couple of weeks."
Gold Coast have started 8-2 for the first time in their 15-year history as they chase a maiden finals berth.
They host Fremantle on Saturday in their first game at their regular home ground - People First Stadium - since round seven, following a pair of 'home' games in Darwin.
Knowing Shai Bolton is one thing, stopping him is another.
It's a conundrum Damien Hardwick is wrestling with as he readies high-flying Gold Coast for Saturday's home clash with Fremantle.
Bolton, who starred in two Richmond premierships under Hardwick, has shown glimpses of his match-winning best in Dockers colours this season.
"He's a bit of a barometer for them," Suns coach Hardwick said on Thursday.
"When he's in good form, they're in good form.
"We have an understanding and we showed some vision of Shai at his best and what that looks like.
"We've got a fair idea of how he plays the game and what his strengths are.
"It's good to know, tough to stop."
Bolton was dubbed Fremantle's missing piece in their hunt for a maiden premiership when he secured a move home to Western Australia during last year's trade period.
He starred with 24 disposals and three goals in a shock away win over GWS a fortnight ago, and has been a key figure in the Dockers' 6-4 start to the season.
"He's a wonderful player and has been a great addition for their footy club," Hardwick said.
"He's one I'm making sure that won't play, hopefully, that well against us. But he's very hard to stop."
Hardwick noted one of Bolton's main weapons is his versatility - an ability to hurt opponents through the midfield and closer to goal.
"We're going to have some challenges with that," Hardwick said.
"The communication of our backs is going to be really important, but those back six or seven have been playing together for the majority of the year.
"So we're relatively confident that we're going to get a pleasing result with that."
Quizzed on possible match-ups for Bolton, Hardwick nominated unsung defenders Bodhi Uwland and Wil Powell.
"Powell's an unbelievable player," Hardwick said.
"I think I knew how good he was, but until you see him up close, he's capable of playing on anyone.
"He can play on talls and smalls, and he's done a wonderful job on those smaller players over the last couple of weeks."
Gold Coast have started 8-2 for the first time in their 15-year history as they chase a maiden finals berth.
They host Fremantle on Saturday in their first game at their regular home ground - People First Stadium - since round seven, following a pair of 'home' games in Darwin.
Knowing Shai Bolton is one thing, stopping him is another.
It's a conundrum Damien Hardwick is wrestling with as he readies high-flying Gold Coast for Saturday's home clash with Fremantle.
Bolton, who starred in two Richmond premierships under Hardwick, has shown glimpses of his match-winning best in Dockers colours this season.
"He's a bit of a barometer for them," Suns coach Hardwick said on Thursday.
"When he's in good form, they're in good form.
"We have an understanding and we showed some vision of Shai at his best and what that looks like.
"We've got a fair idea of how he plays the game and what his strengths are.
"It's good to know, tough to stop."
Bolton was dubbed Fremantle's missing piece in their hunt for a maiden premiership when he secured a move home to Western Australia during last year's trade period.
He starred with 24 disposals and three goals in a shock away win over GWS a fortnight ago, and has been a key figure in the Dockers' 6-4 start to the season.
"He's a wonderful player and has been a great addition for their footy club," Hardwick said.
"He's one I'm making sure that won't play, hopefully, that well against us. But he's very hard to stop."
Hardwick noted one of Bolton's main weapons is his versatility - an ability to hurt opponents through the midfield and closer to goal.
"We're going to have some challenges with that," Hardwick said.
"The communication of our backs is going to be really important, but those back six or seven have been playing together for the majority of the year.
"So we're relatively confident that we're going to get a pleasing result with that."
Quizzed on possible match-ups for Bolton, Hardwick nominated unsung defenders Bodhi Uwland and Wil Powell.
"Powell's an unbelievable player," Hardwick said.
"I think I knew how good he was, but until you see him up close, he's capable of playing on anyone.
"He can play on talls and smalls, and he's done a wonderful job on those smaller players over the last couple of weeks."
Gold Coast have started 8-2 for the first time in their 15-year history as they chase a maiden finals berth.
They host Fremantle on Saturday in their first game at their regular home ground - People First Stadium - since round seven, following a pair of 'home' games in Darwin.
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