AFL rookie draft: Jayden Short ready to prove himself with RichmondTara Murray
Northern Weekly
03/12/2014Northern Knights’ Jayden Short set about making up for lost time after missing the start of the TAC Cup season.
“I fought my way back into the season and I wanted to get the best out of myself, which I did,” he said on Wednesday
It’s this fighting spirit which resulted in Short being picked up by Richmond at pick 11 in the AFL rookie draft.
“I still can’t believe it,” Short said only an hour after finding out he was joining an AFL list.
“I thought whatever happens, happens and if it did happen it would be really good.
“No one can believe that it has.”
The Mill Park resident said despite speaking to the Tigers late in the season he didn’t expect much from them or any other club.
“I just waited around to see what would happen.
“I took the day off work to see if my name would be called out and it was.”
Short, who led the TAC Cup in kicking efficiency, will have some familiar faces at his new club.
Two fellow Northern Knights players Reece McKenzie and Jason Castagna also found their way to the Tigers in the national and rookie drafts respectively.
“It will be fantastic to go there with a couple of mates,” Short said.
“It’s going to be hard work and I’m going to do my best. Being on the rookie list I’ve only got one year to prove myself.”
Short will fly to Townsville on Wednesday night to join the Tigers training camp.
Knights talent manager Peter Kennedy said he was thrilled Short and Castagna had been selected in the rookie draft.
“Those were the two we thought that would get picked up.
“We are really pleased Jayden has been given an opportunity. He missed the nationals so it’s a good outcome for him.
“Jason is the one we were disappointed with not being drafted in the national draft.
“He has done everything right and tested really well at national combine.
http://www.northernweekly.com.au/story/1829230/afl-rookie-draft-jayden-short-ready-to-prove-himself-with-richmond/