Richmond Tigers star injured after nightclub 'altercation'
Richmond Tigers star Shai Bolton will miss two to three weeks after fracturing his wrist in a nightclub altercation which also involved teammate Daniel Rioli last weekend.
In a statement posted to the club's website, the Tigers confirmed Rioli and Bolton had been involved in an incident after Rioli's girlfriend was subject to 'inappropriate behaviour'.
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"An altercation took place after Rioli’s girlfriend was subjected to inappropriate behaviour," the club's statement read.
"Rioli was punched after confronting the patron and suffered a cut under his eye that required two stitches.
"Bolton became involved in the ensuing altercation and sustained a fractured wrist that will require surgery.
"He will be sidelined for the next two to three weeks."
The club did not offer further comment.
The loss of Bolton, who captured the attention of the AFL world with a mark of the year contender during last Friday's loss to Geelong, further compounds the reigning premiers' early season injury woes.
Star midfielder Shane Edwards limped off with an apparent ankle injury late in the 63-point thrashing from Geelong.
They entered the contest without a host of flag winners as key defender Dylan Grimes (concussion) and star midfield trio Trent Cotchin (hamstring), Dion Prestia and Kane Lambert (both calf) watched from the sidelines.
Edwards was hurt during the final quarter against Geelong when the result was well beyond doubt and the All-Australian midfielder's possible absence could further test the Tigers' depth when they host Greater Western Sydney in round nine.
EXCLUSIVE: Tigers stars Daniel Rioli and Shai Bolton have been involved in a fight at a nightclub over the weekend. Shai has a broken wrist, he’ll miss the next 2 - 3 weeks @9NewsMelb
— Alicia Muling (@AliciaMuling9) May 10, 2021
Daniel Rioli and Shai Bolton were involved in an incident at a nightclub over the weekend.
— Richmond FC 🐯🏆 (@Richmond_FC) May 10, 2021
"I'm not too sure (how bad Edwards' injury is) ... but there will be some form of doubt over next week at this stage," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.
The Tigers led Geelong by 18 points at quarter-time but fell apart during the third term and conceded 13 goals to two after the main break in their heaviest defeat of the season so far.
"We've got some quality players out but we still expect to be better than what we were in that second half," Hardwick said.
"There's a way to lose and we don't like to lose the way we did.
"The way we got belted around the contest in the second part of the game was incredibly disappointing."
Shai Bolton's stunning mark of the year contender
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.
If Shai Bolton was any higher he’d need oxygen. #AFLTigersCats pic.twitter.com/HWLvZXny6P
— Andrew J Phelan (@ajphelo) May 7, 2021
Hardwick on Shai Bolton's mark: "It's a pity you don't get four points for mark of the year"
— peter ryan (@petryan) May 7, 2021
Absolute gun is Shai Bolton, not just the leap, but the balance, pace, skills. Still don't think people realise how good he is. #AFLTigersCats
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) May 7, 2021
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.
With AAP
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