Is there a worse label you can place on a player than stating they “checked out” of a season. Particularly if that player is a star?
Maybe the labels where someone pulls out of a contest, or ducks their head – Josh Rachele copped a heap about it last season – are less desired. Maybe couple that with “being too hungry” or not being team-oriented enough. They’re pretty damning, too. But “checking out” can’t be too far behind. It intimates you stop caring about your team – about your teammates.
Ask any Richmond supporters how they felt about the 2024 season of Shai Bolton, and that’s likely the phrase you’ll hear – he checked out.
Whilst it is difficult to remain “up” on a team that is faltering badly, the consensus is that Bolton phoned in his last month of football in yellow and black. With his disposal totals dipping to levels we had not seen in years, Bolton clearly had one eye on 2025, and had his other on a new home, as well.
In this series, I will be taking a look at some of the big names in the game that, for one reason or another, need to lift this season.
For some, it is their own form, for others, it is coming back from injury. And for others, still, it is because their club desperately needs them to be at their best when to contend this season.
So, what does it say about Bolton, that he was so ready to jump ship, and spend the last month of his Richmond career ensuring he made the leap to Freo in the best possible shape, even if it were to the detriment of his current team?
Some would call it intelligent. Others would call it something else entirely. My jury is out. Let’s explore a little more.
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