Jayden Short made a first-rate return to the playing field for Richmond in the blockbuster Anzac Day Eve encounter with Melbourne at the MCG.

The dual premiership Tiger star rebounding defender and 2020 Jack Dyer Medallist, who had missed three games with a calf injury, was one of the team’s best in the 18-point loss.

He finished the match with 30 disposals, seven marks, four rebound-50s, four inside-50s, four score involvements, nine intercepts and a game-high 644 metres gained.

Short’s class display highlighted his importance to the Tigers and how much he had been missed through injury following a run of 80 consecutive games.