Hard luck has taught Tiger there's no shortcut to success AFL.com.au
Ben Collins
Sep 24, 2019 JAYDEN Short is one of the most buoyant characters at Punt Road, but the dashing defender concedes there have been times he's doubted whether would get a chance to play in a Grand Final.
The 23-year-old former rookie from Melbourne's northern suburbs has faced several challenges at Tigerland over the past two years.
In 2017 Short played 16 of Richmond's first 17 games before being dropped, and was an emergency for the Grand Final when Richmond belted Adelaide.
After undergoing post-season shoulder surgery to fix a problem he'd carried since his debut against Collingwood early in 2016, his pre-season leading into 2018 was limited.
However, the 178cm speedster played every game last year, only for the Tigers to spectacularly succumb to the Magpies in the preliminary final.
Early this year they were at long odds to make it to the last Saturday in September after key players were struck down by injuries.
Short was also sidelined long-term after suffering a sickening dislocation of his right elbow in the 49-point loss to eventual Grand Final opponent Greater Western Sydney at Giants Stadium in round three. He missed 10 games but hasn't missed a beat since.
"There's always doubts running through your head. Things happen," Short told AFL.com.au.
"Last year we missed out and obviously we're looking forward to this year and getting some redemption.
"Early in the year I went down with an injury and didn't know where I'd be at (with a) dislocated elbow. I'd never had that before, and I'd never really heard many stories of a dislocated elbow. I didn't really know what I was in for, but to come back and play a little part in what we're doing is pretty special."
There's also a pretty special feeling in the Northcote house Short shares with teammates Liam Baker and Dan Butler. Baker will also line up in his first Grand Final alongside Short in defence, while 2017 premiership forward Butler is set to miss out but has been a handy source of advice, reinforcing the importance of enjoying the week because "it might not come around again".
"It's obviously pretty exciting. Liam's a real upbeat character and I enjoy living with him, as I (enjoy) living with Dan as well. Just to be able to go home and talk about it – Dan was there in 2017 so he's given us some tips and (is) talking us through what we can expect," Short said.
"To live with Liam, he's always excited and you can't really wipe the smile off his face at the moment so it's good."
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin told reporters on Monday that Short, like his mate 'Bakes', was "an amazing energy source" for the Tigers, with the pair "always up and about".
The affable Short explained he was always looking for fun, where appropriate.
"We're encouraged to be ourselves and we've got so many different characters here. I just come in here and be myself. Early days I was probably a little bit hot but the boys have embraced me," he said.
"I just love having a laugh and trying to get a laugh out of most of the boys, and have some fun while we're here because I think that's the best part about it."
Watching his teammates achieve the ultimate two years ago remains a major motivating force for the 70-gamer as he prepares to take on Giants small forwards such as Brent Daniels and Toby Greene.
"I've just wanted to be part of it throughout the whole year and obviously I missed out in 2017 and I saw how much fun the boys had. I played a few games that year and I had fun myself as well but wasn't one of the lucky ones to play in the game," he said.
"Just to see them enjoy such a good week drove me and I just wanted to be a part of it, and not put myself in the position where I could miss out again."
Short can't help but consider the example of teammate Kane Lambert, another ex-rookie and a former housemate, who helped him appreciate the value of embracing hard work and backing his strengths.
"I lived with Kane Lambert for two-and-a-half years and he's one person I look up to who epitomises the Richmond man and hard work. He had to fight his way for five or six years in the VFL system before he got his opportunity and I've seen how hard he's worked and the player he's become," Short said.
Short's greatest strength is his long, precise kicking. The Giants will also be on alert to prevent him from taking a handball from a teammate for a long shot at goal.
"We've got 'Lynchy' (Tom Lynch) backing himself from about 60 and he's kicking them, so I've veered away from running past him. I haven't kicked too many this year but I wouldn't mind a couple on the last day," he said.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-09-24/hard-luck-has-taught-tiger-theres-no-shortcut-to-success
