Richmond small defender Jayden Short continues to go from strength to strength in season 2018.

Short, playing just his 43^rd senior game for the Tigers, in last Saturday night’s ‘Dreamtime at the G’ encounter, had an AFL career-high 28 disposals, including a game-high nine rebound-50s, and a highly-impressive 659 metres gained.

The 22-year-old is averaging 19.2 disposals, 4.4 rebound-50s, 4.0 marks and 458.3 metres gained per match this season.

He is ranked fifth in the competition for metres gained, behind this category’s leader, Adelaide rebounding defender Paul Seedsman.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick expressed his admiration for the way that Short has been able to take his game to the next level this season after missing out on a place in the Tigers’ 2017 premiership team.

“Jayden started really well last year and then lost form at the wrong time,” Hardwick said.

“The hard thing about our game is he played 16 games last year, Jack Graham plays five. Jack Graham gets a (premiership) medal, Jayden Short doesn’t.

“So ask me which one I value more . . . I value them the same.

“He’s been a fantastic player, one of the most improved players in the competition, in my opinion. And he’ll continue to get better again . . .

“It’s exciting for us.”