Richmond VFL coach Craig McRae has paid a big tribute to the Club’s AFL-listed exciting, young small forwards Shai Bolton and Tyson Stengle.

The dynamic duo shapes as a key factor in the VFL Tigers’ quest for a 2017 grand final berth, when they take on Box Hill Hawks in Saturday’s preliminary final at Fortburn Stadium.

“They’ve been so terrific in their growth in their first year here,” McRae said on SEN.

“‘Tys’ has probably been more consistent over the whole journey of the VFL this season, kicking over 30 goals and impacting consistently, whereas Shai has just had unbelievable moments of brilliance in our season . . .

“In his last month, he’s been playing AFL footy at VFL level.”

McRae, a star small forward himself, in Brisbane’s three consecutive premiership sides from 2001-03, was particularly impressed with Stengle’s ‘crumbing’ efforts during the Richmond VFL team’s semi-final win against Casey last Saturday.

“We talk about getting to 10 to two with the crumbs, the front of the packs, and crumb at an angle, and he was sensational in the first quarter last week, kicking three goals for us (and finishing the match with a total of four).”