Reigning Richmond best and fairest winner Jayden Short plays his 100th AFL game at the MCG tonight against Geelong. Short is very damaging with ball in hand and playing as a rebounding defender has utilised his speed, skills, decision making and penetrating kicking to provide drive for the Tigers.
The Tigers recruited Short with pick 11 at the 2015 Rookie Draft and after not playing a game at senior level in 2015 he kicked three goals on AFL debut as a small forward in Round 2 2016. Later in 2016 Short was shifted to defense and thrived, leading the AFL for metres gained in 2018 and ranking second in 2020.
Short missed out on paying in Richmond’s 2017 premiership, being named an emergency, he established himself in the Tiger’s team during 2018 and played all 24 games.
A dislocated elbow in Round 3 2019 keep forced him to miss half of the home and away season. Short returned to the senior side in Round 15 and played in Richmond’s 2019 and 2020 premierships. In the latter season Short was runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal to 2017 Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin. In the Tigers best and fairest the roles were reversed with Short polling 53 votes to win the Jack Dyer Medal by three votes from Martin.
Jayden Short’s football career both at junior level and with the Richmond Football Club is comprehensively covered below.
Early life
Jayden Short was born on 24 January 1996 and grew up in the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne in Mill Park. In early May 2018 Short told AFL.com.au about kick to kick sessions with his dad Greg, saying “Kicking is something you do every day, but I think it spurs back to when my dad had me in the front yard kicking left and right foot every day. I’d do one left, one right, for hours on end until dinner was ready. It’s all I wanted to do.”1
Short played junior football for Mill Park and went on to represent the club in over 150 games. In 2013 Short played 18 games for the Northern Knights Under 18’s team as a bottom age player in the TAC Cup, averaging 14 disposals and had a kicking efficiency of 53%. The profile for Short in ‘AFL Prospectus 2015’ commented on his 2014 TAC Cup season playing in the midfield “After a broken jaw kept him out of the start of last season, he played 13 games, recording an elite kicking efficiency of 73% and an elite handball efficiency of 96%. He also rated elite for marks and inside 50’s and above average for tackles, clearances, intercept possessions and score assists.”2
Due to missing the first two months of the 2014 TAC Cup season with his broken jaw Short was unable to put his case forward on the field to be selected for Vic Metro at the Under 18 National Championship which decreased his chances of being selected in the National Draft.
2015 to 2017 AFL seasons with Richmond
After being overlooked at the 2014 National Draft Richmond selected Short with pick 11 at the AFL Rookie Draft in December 2014. At the time of being drafted Short was 18 years old and 179 centimetres tall. Short was one of six players on Richmond’s Rookie list for the 2015 season, two of the Rookies – Matt Arnott and Matt Thomas had previous AFL experience including playing for Richmond in 2014. The four Richmond Rookies without previous AFL experience were Short, Jason Castagna, Kane Lambert and Ivan Soldo. Castagna and Soldo were both teammates of Short’s at the Northern Knights in 2014, however Soldo played only one game and was a project player, coming from a basketball background.
In ‘2014 Rookie Draft recap’ published on richmondfc.com.au Richmond Recruiting Manager Francis Jackson commented on Short “He’s a really good mover and he averaged 21 possessions in 13 games playing onball with the Northern Knights. He has really good speed and endurance, so he brings plenty of run. We think he was really unlucky to miss out on Thursday night in the National Draft.”3
On a meeting with Jayden and his family at their home in the lead up to the 2014 AFL Draft Richmond recruiter Richard Taylor commented “We all walked away with a big smile on our face. He was just such a natural bubbly kid, grateful to anyone who’d done anything for him in life. I remember as we left saying ‘The boys would love him as a teammate’. He lights up a room.”4
During the 2015 pre-season Short played one of Richmond’s three games and kicked a goal. Short started the home and away season in the VFL and played 13 games in the Victorian state league before an ankle injury kept him on the sidelines for the remainder of the season. In the VFL Short averaged 13.2 disposals per game in his 10 games playing predominantly in the forward line whilst also having some short bursts in the midfield. Short impressed with his ball use, running ability and his proficiency with score assists.
On 31 March 2016 short was promoted from Richmond’s rookie list onto the senior list as a replacement for Reece Conca who was placed on the Tiger’s long term injury list after injuring his hamstring.
On AFL debut for Richmond in Round 2, 2016 at 20 years of age against Collingwood in front of a crowd of 72,671 people at the MCG Short was named at half-forward and playing as a small forward kicked a goal with his first kick, finished the game with an equal team-high three goals from six disposals and was named in his team’s best players in a one point loss.
In Short’s second game he had 11 disposals, kicked zero goals, one behind and was omitted for Round 4. Short spent three weeks out of the side, was recalled for Round 7 and kicked two goals. In Round 8 and 9 Short had a total of 13 disposals and was omitted for the second time in his career after his fifth AFL game. In Short’s first five AFL games he averaged 7.8 disposals with a best of 11 disposals.
Short was named an emergency in Round 10, played in the VFL in Round 11, was recalled to the AFL side in Round 12, playing as a rebounding defender he didn’t drop below 12 disposals in a game for the rest of the season and played 11 consecutive AFL games to finish the season.
On the positional move from the forward line to defense Short commented to richmondfc.com.au in September 2016 “I think me going down back was probably the best thing for me. I was pretty comfortable and I think I can just use my kicking ability as a backman, rather than as a forward . . . As a junior, I played wherever the coach put me, so I was down back a fair bit. It was fairly new, but I think I knew how to work it down there.”5
Richmond had eight wins and 14 losses in 2016 to finish in 13th position, four games and percentage outside the eight. In 2016 Short played 16 AFL games for the Tigers, averaging 11.8 kicks, 3.1 handballs, 3.4 marks, 2.9 rebound 50’s and 0.4 goals per game. Short finished the season strongly, having at least 18 disposals in six of his last eight games of the season.
At the end of the 2016 season Short was elevated from the rookie list onto the Tiger’s senior list and he signed with the club for two years until the end of the 2018 season. Richmond’s then General Manager – Football Talent Dan Richardson commented “Jayden works incredibly hard on and off the field to develop and improve his game, and that’s why we love him in our team. He’s a very versatile player with great pace, kicking skills and footy smarts, and we’re really pleased to reward his hard work with a place on our senior list and a contract extension.”6
During the off-season Richmond acquired three players in trades, recruiting midfielder Dion Prestia from the Gold Coast Suns, ruckman Toby Nankervis from Sydney and midfielder Josh Caddy from Geelong. The Tigers also made a couple of astute decisions at the 2016 NAB AFL draft, recruiting Shai Bolton with pick 29 and Jack Graham with pick 53.
Short wasn’t selected in Richmond’s team for the 2017 AFL season opener against Carlton but was brought into the side for Round 2 and played 17 consecutive AFL games as a defender. Short’s sequence of 26 games with at least 10 disposals ended in Round 18 with seven disposals in the victory against Greater Western Sydney. Short was demoted to the VFL the next week to make way for rebounding defender Bachar Houli who was returning from suspension. After Round 18 Richmond were fourth on the ladder with 11 wins and six losses and there was strong competition for spots in the AFL side.
Richmond’s AFL sides and VFL sides both made the finals. The AFL team had 15 wins and seven losses to finish third on the ladder at the end of the 2017 home and away season whilst the VFL team finished fifth.
Short was unable to get back into Richmond’s AFL team during the home and away season, during the VFL finals Richmond won three games to progress to the Grand Final. In a thrilling VFL Grand Final at Etihad Stadium Port Melbourne defeated Richmond by four points.
Richmond’s AFL team won a qualifying final against Geelong by 51 points and defeated the GWS Giants by 36 points in a preliminary final to progress to the Grand Final against Adelaide.
The AFL Grand Final was on the Saturday after the VFL Grand Final. Short was one of the Tigers three emergencies for the Grand Final along with Shaun Hampson and Corey Ellis. Due to being in Richmond’s 25 player squad for the Grand Final Short was involved in the motorcade for the Grand Final parade on the day before the Grand Final.
There were no late changes for the Grand Final. As an emergency Short warmed up with the team then put his suit on and watched from the stands as Richmond defeated Adelaide by 48 points to win the club’s first premiership since 1980.
During 2017 Short played 16 AFL games for the Tigers, averaging 11.9 kicks, 2.9 handballs, 3.8 marks and 3.2 rebound 50’s per game. Speaking to ‘The Age’ in September 2018 Short commented on his 2017 season “I knew I had to improve, you know as a player when you need to do that so it was clear. Things needed to change. We had Bachar come in and he is a 200-game player, unbelievable backman. ‘Dimma’ [coach Damien Hardwick] sat me down and we spoke on where I could grow and he pinpointed areas to work on and I completely understood where he was coming from and why I was out of the team. That helped me so much, rather than leaving me in the lurch.”7
On specific areas he could improve Short told ‘The Age’ “The consistency in my game, staying involved in games for longer had to get better,” Short said. “Winning my own ball, a bit more fitness too. It was just having a bit of belief in myself. I did believe I was good enough but I probably didn’t show it enough in games. I had to be more confident in games and know I was good enough. It was a little bit of getting my own contested ball too and doing it from there rather than waiting for other people to get it to me. You get more confident with it the more games you play; I am not the biggest guy but it is something I knew I could do.”8
One of the most improved players in the AFL during 2018
In October 2018 Short reflected on what his goals were coming into the 2018 season, telling richmondfc.com.au in a video interview “There was a bit of drive in me to try and get myself in the team this year and obviously had something to work for because I did miss out (on the 2017 premiership). I had a shoulder reconstruction at the end of last season so that put me back a little bit, I knew there was hard work ahead and sort of set my sights on getting in the team and staying in the team for as long as I can.”
Short well and truly achieved that goal, getting in the Tigers AFL team for the 2018 season opener against Carlton and retained his position in the side for the entire season to be one of four Richmond players along with Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards and Alex Rance to play all 24 games.
In his 49th AFL game Short polled a vote in the Brownlow Medal for the first time, receiving one vote for his performance in the 57 point victory against St Kilda in Round 18 at Marvel Stadium. Short had 19 kicks, seven handballs, six marks, an equal game-high five rebound 50’s and a game-high eight inside 50’s.
Against Collingwood in Round 19 at the MCG Short played his 50th AFL game at 22 years of age. In contrast to this name Short is a long kick of the ball and teammates liked having the ball in his hands and were willing to give Short the handball receive to utilise his long kicking to full effect including having shots at goal from outside 50 metres, a tactic that was utilised twice in quick succession against Collingwood during the first quarter to maximum effect. After taking a mark 45 metres out from goal Jason Castagna give the handball to Short who kicked a superb goal on the run from 57 metres out to extend Richmond’s lead to 11 points with five minutes and 15 seconds remaining in the first quarter. In the next play Liam Baker took a mark in almost the identical position to Castagna, just a few metres closer to goal and with slightly less angle. Walking back to his mark Baker handballed to Short who again delivered, kicking the goal from 52 metres out to increase Richmond’s lead to 17 points with four minutes and 40 seconds to play in the opening term. Playing in defense Short finished the 28 point victory against Collingwood with 13 kicks, six handballs, four marks, four rebound 50’s, a team-high 19 uncontested possessions and two goals.
Richmond finished on top of the ladder at the end of the 2018 home and away season with 18 wins and four losses, two wins and percentage of second placed West Coast with Collingwood and Hawthorn finishing third and fourth respectively, each with 15 wins.
Short played his first AFL final in the qualifying final 31 point victory against Hawthorn at the MCG. In the preliminary final Richmond were outscored by Collingwood five goals to one in the first quarter and trailed by 23 points at quarter time. Collingwood defeated Richmond by 39 points to end Richmond’s season. In 2018 Short and was named in the Tiger’s best players in the Official AFL Records for both finals.
In 2018 Short averaged 15.0 kicks, 5.0 handballs, 4.3 marks and 4.3 rebound 50’s per game. Short ranked fourth at Richmond for disposals, second for kicks, fifth for marks, first for uncontested possessions, fifth for intercept possessions. Short had at least 13 disposals in every game during 2018 including seven games with more than 22 disposals.
Short finished ninth in Richmond’s 2018 best and fairest with 47 votes. During the 2018 home and away season Short led the AFL for metres gained, ranked second for long kicks, equal seventh for running bounces, equal 12th for rebound 50’s and 17th for kicks. Short was named at half-back in the Players’ Association 22 under 22 team.
The profile for Short in AFL Prospectus 2019 said “Short was the second-most improved player for AFL Player Rating points per game of anyone to play at least 11 games in each of the past two seasons. He was integral to Richmond’s ball movement , averaging 1.6 defensive 50 score involvements – ranked equal first of any general defender with a minimum of 10 games. And rating elite for overall score involvements per game as well as goals.”9
After an elbow injury early in 2019 Short returns and plays in his first premiership
Short extended his consecutive games streak at AFL level to 27 games, however he had a major setback in Round 3 against the GWS Giants at Giants Stadium. Early in the first quarter Short fell awkwardly on his right arm and dislocated his elbow. Short immediately made his way to the interchange bench, took no further part in the game and had an extended period on the sidelines.
After their Round 14 bye Richmond were ninth on the ladder with seven wins and six losses, two games and percentage behind the fourth placed West Coast Eagles. The Tigers had lost three games in a row and needed to turn things around quickly if they were going to finish in the top four and have the double chance for the third consecutive season.
In Round 15 Short returned from his elbow injury to play in the AFL for Richmond against St Kilda, he was one of eight inclusions in the team along with David Astbury, Shai Bolton, Nathan Broad, the captain Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards, Kane Lambert and Ivan Soldo. In the 33 point victory against the Saints Short had 19 kicks, three handballs, three marks, a game-high six rebound 50’s and 17 uncontested possessions.
Richmond won their last eight games of the 2019 home and away season to finish the season in third place, the top three teams all had a record of 16 wins and six losses. The Tigers percentage of 113.7% was inferior to minor premiers Geelong (135.7%) and second placed Brisbane (118.3%).
Richmond convincingly defeated Brisbane by 47 points in a qualifying final at the Gabba and fought back from a 21 point deficit at half-time in the preliminary final against Geelong to win by 19 points and advance to the Grand Final.
In his 71st AFL game Short at 23 years of age played in his first AFL Grand Final, having missed out in 2017 due to not being selected in Richmond’s 22, and in 2018 due to Richmond being upset by Collingwood in the preliminary final after being the dominant team all year.
Before a crowd of 100,014 people at the MCG it was an arm wrestle between Richmond and the GWS Giants for most of the 2019 Grand Final’s first quarter. At the 24 minute mark of the first term Richmond hadn’t kicked a goal, however they had only conceded one goal and trailed the Giants by five points. Richmond kicked two goals in the final three minutes of the first term and added another three goals to none in the first 10 minutes of the second quarter to gain control and led by 26 points. Richmond dominated the remainder of the match, kicking 12 goals to two to win in emphatic fashion by 89 points.
All four players without AFL experience on Richmond’s 2015 Rookie list – Short, Lambert, Castagna and Soldo were members of the Tiger’s 2019 premiership side, which is a credit to Richmond’s recruiting staff, coaches and the quartet of players. In 2019 Short averaged 13.1 kicks, 4.5 handballs, 4.4 marks and 4.3 rebound 50’s per game. Short had at least 13 disposals in every game apart from his injury impacted Round 3 game.
Whilst Short and his family were thrilled that Richmond won the 2017 premiership there was also disappointment with Short missing out on playing in the premiership and named an emergency. On 29 September 2019 Short commented to afl.com.au on becoming a premiership player and the support he had received from his dad Greg, saying “Dad’s been there since day dot playing footy, and he coached me throughout my juniors (at Mill Park), so to see him here today, on the big stage, and obviously to get the win, it’s just amazing. He’s been through thick and thin with me. He felt 2017 pretty hard on himself as well, so it’s just incredible I can repay him for that. He’s given me a lot growing up – so has Mum – but footy-wise, Dad’s been huge for me and just to be able to show him this (premiership medallion) is amazing. I love him.”10
Reflecting on his three months on the sidelines due to his right elbow injury Short told richmondfc.com.au “I had some doubts about getting back or what kind of footy I could get back to playing but we’ve got the best physios and doctors in the League. That gave me great confidence that I could get back and have an impact, and here we are today. I’m so grateful to be back and playing with these boys.”11
Short wins Richmond’s 2020 best and fairest in a premiership season
At the start of 2020 Jayden’s dad Greg passed away. To pay tribute to his dad Jayden wore a black armband during every game of the 2020 season.
In the week before the 2020 AFL home and away season commenced it was announced that due to the uncertainty regarding the coronavirus that the structure of the season and length of games would be condensed. During the 2020 home and away season each club played 17 games comprised of one game against each of the other AFL clubs, a reduction from each team playing 22 games across 23 rounds. The length of quarters was reduced from 20 minutes plus time-on to 16 minutes plus time-on to enable a shorter break between games if required.
Round 1 of the 2020 season was played as scheduled from March 19 to 22 however crowds weren’t allowed in Victoria and with the number of COVID-19 cases escalating rapidly and the Australian Government imposing travel restrictions the AFL season was paused for just under three months. After Round 5 in early July all Victorian clubs entered hubs outside Victoria with Richmond being based on the Gold Coast.
During the home and away season Short polled three Brownlow Medal votes comprised of one vote against North Melbourne in Round 7 and two votes against Fremantle in Round 15. In the 54 point victory against North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium Short had a game-high 18 kicks, three handballs, eight marks, a game high seven rebound 50’s and 593 metres gained. Against Fremantle Short had 13 kicks, 10 handballs, an equal game-high eight marks, four rebound 50’s and 439 metres gained.
Richmond finished the 2021 home and away season in third position on the ladder with 12 wins, one draw and five losses, six premiership points behind minor premiers Port Adelaide and second placed Brisbane and two premiership points ahead of Geelong in fourth place.
Brisbane defeated Richmond by 15 points in a qualifying final at the Gabba. In a semi final at Metricon Stadium Richmond defeated St Kilda by 31 points. Richmond won a thrilling low scoring preliminary final against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval by six points 46 to 40.
In the Grand Final against Richmond at the Gabba Short had a team-high 18 kicks, seven handballs, three marks, a team-high 772 metres gained – 310 metres more than the second rank Tiger, a team-high eight intercept possessions, six tackles, nine contested possessions, 11 uncontested possessions and highlighting his hard effective running and penetrating disposal he led the Tigers for rebound 50’s and inside 50’s with seven of each.
Geelong led Richmond by 22 points at the 18 minute mark of the second quarter, however a Dustin Martin goal reduced the margin to 15 points at half-time. Richmond outscored Geelong four goals to one to lead by two points at three quarter-time. The Tigers controlled the last quarter, kicking five goals to one to win the Grand Final by 31 points. Short polled six votes in the Norm Smith Medal to finish runner-up to Dustin Martin who polled the maximum 15 votes having received the maximum three votes from all five judges. The other players that polled votes were Edwards (4), Geelong midfielder Mitch Duncan (3) and fellow Tigers defender Nathan Broad (2), however one of the judges Leigh Matthews admitted afterwards that he made a mistake and the two votes he gave to Broad should have been awarded to Short.
Short polled 53 votes in the 2020 Jack Dyer Medal to finish ahead of Dustin Martin on 50 votes with defender Nick Vlaustin third, a further vote back. Short became the third player in AFL history to win a best and fairest in a premiership year after starting their career on the Rookie list – joining Sydney’s Brett Kirk (2005) and Hawthorn’s Josh Gibson (2013 and 2015) in this select group.
In 2020 Short averaged 14.1 kicks, 4.9 handballs, 5.4 marks and 4.5 rebound 50’s per game. Short led Richmond for total kicks, marks, rebound 50’s, running bounces and uncontested possessions, ranked second for disposals and fifth for inside 50’s and intercept possessions. During the 2020 home and away season Short led the AFL for running bounces, ranked equal first for long kicks, second for metres gained, fifth for kicks and 11th for rebound 50’s.
In his acceptance speech after winning the 2020 Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond best and fairest an emotional and heartfelt Short said “I would just like to say thank you, yeah obviously it is an amazing achievement and I am very rapt. It is a great honour to win this, it has been an amazing year. Obviously 2020 started pretty sh*t for me, I lost my old man and I didn’t know what was going to happen this year. To win this, it’s just an amazing feeling and just a little bit of recognition for a little bit of hard work that I’ve had to put in along the way. I love this club and I love this group and the coaches.”
“I want to say thanks to my mum, my sister and my girlfriend, they’re doing it tough in Melbourne at the moment. I obviously left my mum and my sister at home, having just lost my old man, and that’s pretty challenging in itself but I am proud of you guys and I love you to bits. Thanks to my girlfriend for all the support, all my mates back home, all the players, coaches and the staff for making this such an enjoyable place. I have honestly loved my time here, its obviously had its challenges this year but it is an unbelievable place to be.”
2021 AFL season with Richmond
A rule change in the off-season requires players on the mark to be stationary which provides more space and increases the options available for the kicker which suits players with outstanding kicking skills like Short. After having 43 disposals in an AAMI Community Series victory against Collingwood in the pre-season Short commented to Fox Footy in the post-game interview “I want the ball in my hands, and if they’re going to give me some space, I’m going to take it. So, I love the new rule. It’s going to be interesting to see how it goes throughout the year, but I think it went well tonight. “My game’s probably based on territory, but whatever the opposition defence is going to give us, I’ll look to try and use it that way . . . I’m not really sure if I go corridor or skinny. I just make it up as I go and, hopefully, a nice kick comes off, because I don’t really handball.”
Games in the 2021 AFL season returned to their usual length with quarters being 20 minutes plus time-on. Each club was scheduled to play 11 home games and 11 games during the home and away season and whilst crowds were allowed capacity restrictions were in place.
At a press conference held at the MCG on the eve of the 2021 season Short commented “I am pretty excited, it is obviously good to be in my home state and back around family and friends and stuff like that. Pre-season was good but this is the best part of footy, when you get to play games, so I am looking forward to being back here on the G and enjoying it with my mates.”
In each of his first seven games of the 2021 season Short has had at least 14 kicks and 26 disposals, he ranks fourth in the AFL for metres gained and third for rebound 50’s. In 2021 Short is averaging 19.3 kicks, 4.6 handballs, 5.3 marks and 8.3 rebound 50’s per game, he is setting new career-highs for kicks and rebound 50’s per game. After Round 7 Richmond are in sixth position on the ladder with four wins and three losses.
Epilogue
In his 99 AFL games to date Short has averaged 13.8 kicks, 4.2 handballs, 4.4 marks and 4.3 rebound 50’s per game. Short ranks first at Richmond’s all-time list for rebound 50’s per game ahead of the Bowden brothers – Patrick (4.2 rebound 50’s per game) and Joel (4.1).
Tonight at the MCG Short becomes the 13th player on Richmond’s 2021 list to play 100 games for the club, joining Jack Riewoldt (290), Shane Edwards (272), Trent Cotchin (259), Dustin Martin (250), Bachar Houli (198), Dylan Grimes (178), Nick Vlastuin (162), David Astbury (145), Kane Lambert (121), Kamydn McIntosh (114), Jason Castagna (104) and Daniel Rioli (101).
Five of the players Short is joining as 100 game players at Richmond were selected in the first round of a National Draft with players in this category being Cotchin (pic 2 in 2007), Martin (3 -2009), Vlastuin (9 – 2012), Jack Riewoldt (13 – 2006), Daniel Rioli (15 – 2015). Once you get onto an AFL list it doesn’t matter if you are selected in the top at the National Draft are a later pick or don’t get selected until the rookie draft. Short is one of three players selected at the rookie draft in December 2014 that have gone on to play 100 games for Richmond along with Lambert and Castagna.
After being selected by Richmond with pick 11 at the Rookie Draft in December 2014 Short didn’t make his AFL debut until Round 2 of the 2016 season as a small forward, later that season he was shifted to defense.
Whilst Short played the majority of Richmond’s AFL games in 2016 and 2017 he was unable to cement his position in the side until 2018 and missed out on Richmond’s 2017 premiership, being named an emergency for the Grand Final.
With a specific role enabling Short to utilise his speed, decision making and penetrating kicking he flourished as a rebounding defender in 2018, leading the AFL for metres gained. A dislocated elbow threatened to derail his 2019 season, however with diligence he was able to return to AFL level, perform his role for the team and play in Richmond’s 2019 premiership.
After his dad Greg passed away early in 2020 Short wore a black arm-band for every game of the 2020 season which was made more difficult due to playing most of the season in a hub away from family and friends. Despite the personal challenges Short was able to elevate his game to another level, play in his second premiership and elevate his game to another level to be runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal and win the Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond best and fairest.
Over the first seven games of the 2021 season Short is averaging career-high numbers for kicks, disposals and rebound 50’s. Tonight Jayden Short plays his 100th AFL game and there is no doubt that those countless kick to kick sessions with his dad in the front yard of their Mill Park home have helped mould Short into the player he is today with sublime footskills. Jayden’s dad Greg would be proud of what he has achieved in his football career to date and is set to accomplish in the future.
Article and photographs by Dean Andrews
Twitter – @DeanAndrews7777
References
1 https://www.afl.com.au/news/139973/tigers-selftaught-talent-is-a-short-story
2 Champion Data, AFL Prospectus – The essential number-cruncher for season 2015, 10th Edition, page 305
3 https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/47755/2014-rookie-draft-recap
4 https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/246406/roar-features-jayden-short-part-1
5 https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/111027/season-review-jayden-short
6 https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/86513/jayden-short-elevated-to-senior-list
9 Champion Data, AFL Prospectus – The essential number-cruncher for season 2019, 14th Edition, page 303
10 https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/18186/short-goes-from-heartbreak-to-joy-in-three-years
11 https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/18186/short-goes-from-heartbreak-to-joy-in-three-years
Milestones and Misses
Milestones and Misses publishes articles to celebrate the achievements of sportspeople, mainly in Australian Rules Football (AFL and AFLW) and the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL). In sport as with life in general it is common that milestones are only achieved after overcoming adversity, so whilst the articles on the Milestones and Misses website celebrate sportspeople achieving milestones they also cover the misses along the journey, such as a player having minimal game-time or spending a prolonged period on the sidelines due to injury. The aim of the articles is to enable readers to gain a greater appreciation of the journey the sportspeople have had during their career.
Milestones and misses 