Dual Richmond premiership star Jayden Short’s five-year contract extension with the Club, announced last week, has been gratefully received by Tigers coach Damien Hardwick.

Short, who won the Jack Dyer Medal in Richmond’s 2020 premiership year and was renowned as one of the competition’s best small, rebounding defenders, has been a revelation in a midfield role during the past couple of matches.

He followed up a superb, first-up midfield display against West Coast in Round 7 with another classy “engine-room” exhibition in last Saturday’s 27-point victory over Collingwood.

The silky-skilled, speedy 26-year-old had 27 disposals, 10 contested possessions, six inside-50s, four clearances, four score involvements, a game-high 708 metres gained and took five marks.

“He’s important, both on and off the field,” Hardwick said in his post-match press conference.

“He’s a wonderful player. Wherever we put him, he’s just a footy guy. He knows how to play the game.

“His energy and buzz around the Club . . . you miss him when he’s not there.

“He’s worth every five-year contract we could get him.

“Probably, in fairness, he would have turned down a hell of a lot more money, no question.

“We got a bargain as far as we’re concerned.”