Fremantle forward Shai Bolton says he and his Western Australian teammates are out for bragging rights over Victoria in February’s AFL Origin match.
Speaking on Thursday morning at his media conference following the announcement of nine new names to the Sandgropers squad - including Freo teammates Jordan Clark and Luke Jackson - Bolton explained that repping the gold and black of Western Australia would feel like suiting up for the state under-18s again.
“We want to see a full house. It’s good that it’s here in WA on our home turf, so we want to get as much of a crowd as we can,” Bolton said.
“I’ll probably end up versing someone like Sebba (Caleb Serong), who is eligible for selection for the Vics.
“We want to get the bragging rights over them (Victoria).”
Bolton expressed that even with the first crop of names selected to represent WA, bountiful talent and speed were on display.
Within Western Australia’s first 14 names announced, the side boasts an impressive résumé of two Brownlow Medals, one Coleman Medal, eight premiership players, and 12 All-Australian selections.
“We’ve got a lot of speed in there,” Bolton said.
“We’ve got a lot of boys that have been there like Charlie Cameron in grand finals.”
When asked about who he was looking forward to suiting up alongside most, Bolton expressed his excitement to reunite with former Richmond teammate Liam Baker, as well as Carlton captain and Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps.
“I get to play with Bakes (Liam Baker) again. I haven’t played with Cripps (Patrick Cripps) before, Brownlow medallist and he’s an absolute gun, so I’m looking forward to playing with him,” Bolton said.
The WA team will be coached by Sydney’s senior coach Dean Cox, with Freo's Justin Longmuir as his assistant, while Geelong coach Chris Scott will lead the Victorians with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell assisting him.
Western Australia and Victoria will face each other at Optus Stadium on Saturday 14 February.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Aaron Naughton
Patrick Cripps
Shai Bolton
Tom Barrass
Chad Warner
Liam Baker
Charlie Cameron
Darcy Cameron
Jordan Clark
Bradley Hill
Jesse Hogan
Luke Jackson
Kysaiah Pickett
Sam Taylor
