Dimma hopes Bolton knowledge can help Suns set Dockers

Perth Now

29-05-2025

Damien Hardwick hopes his added insight into Shai Bolton will help stop the Fremantle star recruit tearing Gold Coast apart.
Hardwick was at the helm of Richmond when Bolton played in two of the Tigers' three flags over four years before both departed the club over the past two seasons.
Bolton landed at the Dockers in a high-profile trade at the end of last year, while Hardwick is in his second season in charge at the Suns after leaving the Tigers mid-way through 2023.
Hardwick revealed Bolton, who has kickd 13 goals across 10 games while also having an impact through the midfield at his new club, had been a focus of their preparations ahead of the People First Stadium clash on Saturday. Shai Bolton. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images
'Shai is a bit of a barometer for them. I think when he is in good form, they are in good form,' Hardwick said.
'We'll have a good understanding (of him), we showed some vision of Shai at his best and what that looks like.'
Hardwick said coaching Bolton across six and a half years shoudl held in preparing for him as an opponent.
One of Hardwick's assistants, premiership Tiger Shaun Grigg, is also a former teammate of Bolton's, as well as Gold Coast star recruit Daniel Rioli.
'We've got a fair idea of how he plays the game and what his strengths are,' Hardwick added.
'It's good to know those (but) tough to stop. He's a wonderful player and been a great addition for their footy club.
'(He's) one I'm sort of making sure won't play that well but he's hard to stop.' Wil Powell could get the match-up on Shai Bolton. Credit: Michael Willson / AFL Photos
Hardwick teased West Australian defender Wil Powell could get the match-up on Bolton, depending on whether he plays predominately in the midfield or forward.
He praised Powell, a former first-round pick drafted out of Claremont, as an 'unbelievable' player that didn't get the recognition he deserved.
'I think I knew how good he was (before coming to the Suns) but until you see him up close, he's capable of playing on anyone. He can play on talls and smalls, he's done a wonderful job on those smaller players over the last couple of weeks.
'The Bolton match up is a different one again, is he more midfielder or his he more forward? Does he play up high, does he play down deep? We're going to have some challenges with that, the communication of our backs is going to be really, really important.'