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HAVING lost Chris Yarran to retirement and Brett Deledio to GWS, Richmond opted for pace in selecting electrifying Western Australian speedster Shai Bolton with its first selection in the NAB AFL Draft.

Bolton has already starred on Punt Road, collecting 16 touches and kicking a goal in the NAB All Stars game on Grand Final day.

Having traded in tough midfielders Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy, the Tigers will have an electrifying forward line if Bolton can eventually slot in next to Daniel Rioli.

Richmond recruiting manager Francis Jackson said Bolton's speed was a handy asset.

"It won't go astray," Jackson told AFL.com.au.

"We added Daniel (Rioli) last year and provided a lot of excitement and we think Shai is well placed to do the same."  

Both are noted tacklers who will put enormous pressure on opposition defenders while feeding off any crumbs from Jack Riewoldt.

Bolton was, by his own admission, slightly inconsistent during 2016 but he is capable of turning a game in minutes with his goal sense and capacity to do the unexpected.

He will only turn 18 in December and overcame stress fractures in his back to sit out of football in 2015 however Jackson remains optimistic he could play senior football in 2017.

From Mandurah in Western Australia, Bolton's father Darren played two games for Fremantle in 1999 taking on Carlton and Hawthorn.

He moved to Perth to board at Wesley College for three years and is expected to have no hesitation about shifting to Victoria to play football.