It speaks volumes for Jayden Short that he’s been entrusted with the all-important kick-ins throughout matches by Richmond coach Damien Hardwick over the past couple of months, despite being in his first season of senior league football.
Short, who was elevated from Richmond’s rookie list to the senior list early this season, has showcased his impressive kicking skills, as well as admirable composure in the Tigers’ defence, after an initial stint as a small forward.
The 20-year-old was omitted from the main Richmond line-up following the Round 3 loss to Adelaide, then returned for three more senior games (Round 7-9), before being dropped again.
He subsequently was recalled for the Round 12 match against Gold Coast at the MCG, in a new role as a small defender, and assigned the kick-in duties.
In eight games since, Short has averaged 18.9 disposals per match. His speed, football ‘smarts’ and top-class kicking skills have combined to make him a valuable member of the Tigers’ backline.
And, he’s adapted extremely well to the pressure associated with taking the kick-ins.
“At the start, I didn’t really think about it too much. I didn’t have much to lose, so I just tried to hit as many kicks as I can,” Short said on ‘Sports Day’.
“But now that I’m in the team more often, it’s a bit more daunting.
“I don’t want to miss too many targets and I don’t want to get any goals scored against me . . .”
Short’s ability to use the ball so efficiently by foot was a key factor in Richmond recruiting him via the AFL’s rookie draft at the end of 2014.
He feels his switch to defence has provided him with more opportunities to utilise his kicking ability.
“One of the better things of my game is my kicking,” he said.
“Down forward, you sort of only to get to have a couple of shots on goal and maybe kick it to a couple of people.
“But down back, you get to set up the play and try and create a few things . . . make things happen.
“The backline’s fun. I get to back myself a fair bit. The coach has given me a fair bit of leniency in how I kick it, and where I kick it . . . just make up my mind up where I go.
Short wants to retain his place in Richmond’s senior side for the remaining three home-and-away rounds, then throw himself into a big pre-season.
“I wasn’t too fit in my first year, coming into the AFL system . . . I learned a fair bit in my first year and took that into my second pre-season,” he said.
“I’ll certainly be doing a lot of running and getting myself as fit as possible, so I can make pre-season as easy as possible for myself.”
