RICHMOND’S top draft selection Shai Bolton could be stuck in limbo for a quarter of the season after being reported for striking in Thursday’s VFL clash.

Bolton was seen to punch Carlton’s Tom Williamson in vision captured by Tigers officials during the practice match, with a judgment due on Monday.

During a scuffle with Wilkinson Bolton responded with a punch to his opponent’s head, with Ivan Maric quickly coming into calm down his Tigers teammate.

JAY CLARK: DEAR DUSTY, PLEASE RE-SIGN NOW

NEW TIGER: POLISHED PRESTIA REPAYS FAITH

But given Richmond’s VFL season only starts in Round 4 of the AFL season, a suspension would normally be served from that point onwards.

A potential two-week suspension would be served in Rounds 1 and 2 of the VFL, only clearing him to play in Round 6 of the AFL.

For the VFL to allow him to serve the suspension concurrently with the AFL season the Tigers would need to lodge a submission with AFL Victoria.

media_camera Richmond’s top draft pick Shai Bolton. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Bolton was taken at selection 29 in last year’s draft and is seen as a wildly exciting medium-sized forward.

He was not an emergency for Friday night’s contest — one of the factors taken into account — so if suspended the Tigers would need to lodge a convincing submission.

VFL football boss John Hook confirmed the late start to the VFL season complicated some tribunal decisions.

“Technically players serve suspensions in the competitions they play in. The trouble is the seasons don’t start at the same time,’’ he said.

“If we give players two weeks and the competition doesn’t start for two weeks, they are serving four weeks.

“So if a player is guilty we then talk with the AFL about what is appropriate.

media_camera Ben Long in action for Footscray last year. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“We work in with Simon Lethlean and the operations department at the AFL.”

St Kilda player Ben Long, suspended playing for the Western Bulldogs in last year’s VFL Grand Final, has been allowed to serve his suspension in the first two AFL rounds.

It was ruled given he is in senior contention he would have been unfairly disadvantaged by the VFL’s delayed start to the year.

Richmond won the contest by 22 points, with Ben Lennon kicking three goals and Carlton’s Harry McKay booting 4.3.