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'Mark of the year': AFL world in a frenzy over Shai Bolton 'screamer'

Shai Bolton is seen here flying above the pack to take a spectacular mark.
Shai Bolton's 'mark of the year' contender left the AFL world in awe. Pic: Getty

Richmond's Shai Bolton has left the AFL world in a frenzy after a ridiculous mark in Friday night's disappointing loss to Geelong.

The Tigers were 18 points up at quarter time, before an amazing comeback from the Cats saw them run away with a comfortable 19.12 (126) to 9.9 (63) victory at the MCG.

Boom recruit Jeremy Cameron starred in attack as Geelong exacted revenge for last year's grand final defeat in the 63-point thrashing.

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As deflating as the defeat was for the Tigers, they could at least lay claim to the most eye-catching moment of the match.

Bolton demonstrated his importance to the Richmond attack with a number of exciting plays, but none were as unbelievable as his first quarter mark.

The 22-year-old launched himself off the shoulders of the much taller Mark Blicavs, propelling him into the air well above a pack of players contenting the footy.

The incredible incident was captured in a series of still photos that showed just how higher Bolton manage to get, compared to the rest of the pack.

Even though it's only round eight, many fans insisted it was a shoe-in for "mark of the year", with Bolton's moment of magic sending the internet into meltdown.

The Cats banked a third win in four games and turned the tables on their tormentors of the last few years with Cameron one of the stars of the show.

The former Giants lynchpin kicked six goals in his biggest haul since his off-season move from GWS and formed a dangerous three-way combination with Tom Hawkins (four goals) and Gary Rohan (five).

Despite trailing early, the Cats took complete control of the contest during the third quarter when they piled on eight goals to one.

The avalanche came despite injuries to Sam Simpson (hamstring) and Luke Dahlhaus (back) as Cam Guthrie (36 disposals), Mitch Duncan (30) and Sam Menegola (26) lifted through the midfield.

Pictured here, Geelong players thank their fans after the win against Richmond.
Geelong gained revenge for last year's grand final loss with a big comeback win on Friday night. Pic: Getty

"The highlight of the game was that quarter and our contested work," Geelong coach Chris Scott said.

"There were some 50-50 balls where our guys were just super.

"I didn't think we were quite on in that regard early, but we certainly were late."

Cats overrun Tigers in devastating second half

Richmond's ferocious attack on both man and ball gave them a three-goal advantage at the first change.

Former Sydney forward Rohan, who celebrated his 150th game, kicked two important goals during the second term to help get the Cats back into the contest and they hit the front for the first time when Cameron kicked his third major early in the third quarter.

A series of Richmond defensive errors then led to Cats goals, including Rohan's fourth, as Geelong seized the ascendancy.

"Our pressure wasn't quite good enough so they went down and scored a lot of goals from the back end," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

"Their ability to get through tackles was really, really evident.

"There were a number of times where we looked like we had them but they're strong in the contest.

"They're a really strong, experienced side and they're a big side - if they get through that first line of defence they step through.

"Those big key forwards are hard to play against when they're getting such clean ball inside 50."

The night got worse for Richmond when they lost gun midfielder Shane Edwards to an ankle injury with the game out of their reach in the final term.

Tigers superstar Dustin Martin had 21 disposals on return after a mandatory week off because of concussion and was quiet after half-time under the close watch of Tom Stewart.

Jack Henry and Lachie Henderson were superb in defence for Geelong.

with AAP

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