Stand-in skipper Jayden Short reveals honest conversations after Richmond’s heavy round 1 loss

Still smarting from a hiding at the hands of former coach Damien Hardwick’s Gold Coast, Richmond has vowed to issue a stern response in its round 1 blockbuster against Carlton.

Richmond is hoping to welcome back Toby Nankervis and Dustin Martin ahead of their Round 1 clash with Carlton. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Jayden Short has assured Tiger fans they will see a far more competitive, greater contest-based Richmond in Thursday’s MCG opener against old rivals Carlton.

The sting of an “embarrassing” opening round loss to Gold Coast, some heated criticism of a few experienced players including himself, a series of challenging internal conversations and three big inclusions have boosted Short’s confidence the Tigers can bounce back this week.

For once, the 28-year-old is happy with the short turnaround since last Saturday, given he and his teammates are eager to get back out there again after the disappointment of the Suns’ loss.

“The boys really want to get to work,” Short said as he prepared to take on the Blues.

“They are embarrassed with how we started (against Gold Coast, where the Suns kicked 11 of the first 12 goals) and it is something we want to get to work on straight away.

“We have only had five days to get ourselves back out there, so that presents another opportunity. It’s not the way you want to start a season, but there were certainly positives during that third and fourth quarter. You can learn from that and bring it into this week.”

The Tigers were dismantled by the Suns. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Some of the reviews for the Tigers in Adem Yze’s first game as coach were scathing, with Leigh Matthews labelling the club’s 39-point loss to the Suns as “horrible”, while Kane Cornes torched some of Richmond’s senior players for their lack of defensive pressure.

Cornes pinpointed a missed tackle from Short, who was stand-in skipper last week in Toby Nankervis’ absence, early in the game as evidence of the Tigers’ lack of early pressure.

Short doesn’t shy away from the criticism, saying he knows he and his teammates need to be better in front of a packed MCG crowd that will likely push into the 90,000s on Thursday.

“I’m always looking to get better and improve as a player,” he said when asked about the criticism of Richmond’s defensive efforts.

“There were some honest conversations, some tough conversations (following the game) … they needed to be had.

“If you watched the game, you can tell it is not the way we want to play. We are fully aware of that. I don’t think Adem (Yze) needs to come in and yell and scream because the boys know how they want to play.

“They (Carlton) are definitely going to bring the pressure … They are a great contested team as well, so they will bring the heat and we will have to match it.

“We’ve got to bring our contest (game). We have seen their (the Blues’) contest work and the boys will need to match it and get to work on it.”

Short says there have been honest conversations after the Tigers’ 39-point opening round defeat. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Short will happily hand over the captaincy reins to Toby Nankervis on Thursday night, who will return with Dustin Martin and Tom Lynch, in a huge selection boost to the Tigers.

He conceded the Tigers are still learning part of the new game style Yze wants them to play, a change he has found reinvigorating in the six months since the new coach arrived at Punt Road.

“As an athlete, you want to get better and improve your game, and when a new coach comes in, it provides a real opportunity for that,” he said.

“Even the way we move the ball and set up around the ground, we have had the same or similar stuff for nine years.

“(It’s good) to have someone new come in and challenge you to try and get better.”

The two-time premiership player and 2020 best and fairest winner said the three big inclusions would be a huge boost for the young side, with Lynch set to play his first game since round 4 last year.

He warned that Dustin Martin, who has recovered from a corked calf that kept him out of last week, looks ready for another big season.

“He has been a champion for 15 years and he still is,” Short said.

TIGERS VOW TO IMPROVE AFTER SORRY START

Jon Ralph

Richmond is confident star trio Tom Lynch, Toby Nankervis and Dustin Martin will prove their fitness on Tuesday as the Tigers desperately attempt to avoid their worst start to a season since 2012.

New Richmond coach Adem Yze admitted all three phases of Richmond’s game plan broke down as the Tigers conceded 19 scoring shots and 11 goals against Gold Coast in the first half.

Richmond responded strongly in the second half and barring setbacks will recall Lynch, Nankervis and Martin who are expected to train strongly on Tuesday.

But a defence missing Noah Balta had shaky moments as Tylar Young conceded five goals to Ben King and Jack Lukosius and Mal Rosas chipped in with three goals.

The Tigers now run into a Carlton attack boasting in-form Coleman Medallists Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.

New forward Balta was needed in the ruck after Samson Ryan was thrashed by Jarrod Witts and while Nankervis’ return will help Yze is unlikely to throw Balta back into defence.

The Tigers boasted 11 wins in a row against Carlton until the Blues won their round 1 encounter in 2022, with the teams playing out a draw in round 1 last year in front of 88,084 fans.

Richmond is hoping to welcome back Toby Nankervis and Dustin Martin ahead of their Round 1 clash with Carlton. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Richmond has not lost its first two games since 2012, but will hope the return of their star trio and the momentum from an improved second half will help topple the impressive Blues.

Carlton could elevate Jack Carroll into the starting line-up after his impressive performance replacing Sam Docherty, who has torn his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

Elite running wingman Jaxon Binns and half back Alex Cincotta were emergencies and are options as the club’s sub.

Richmond expects Lynch (foot surgery) to play after three big Thursday main sessions while Martin should play after a kick to the calf last Tuesday.

Ruckman and Tigers skipper Nankervis has been on a managed program since a plantar fascia issue flared but has improved in recent weeks.

Richmond conceded only three goals in the second half, one from a 50m penalty after Dylan Grimes kicked the ball out of bounds and another after Nathan Broad was penalised for stepping back over the goal line with minimal pressure.

With Josh Gibcus keeping Levi Casboult goalless in 50 minutes and Lukosius to a single goal in 48 minutes the Tigers will have to build their defence around their top ten pick.

“We were all over the shop in the first half on all three phases and our players know that,” Yze said post-match.

“They smashed us at stoppage, couldn’t lock the ball in our front half and we couldn’t get the ball back off them when they had it.

“It looked like a Richmond game in the second half, we flipped the script on territory and the boys played the way we want to play.

“Our boys are really honest, but they are not happy with the way they started and we will review that. Having those three players available is going to make our team better but Noah Balta going into the ruck in the second half was terrific. He is going to have to do that anyway.

“Sam Naismith toiled away and fought hard. If Lynchy’s back it will help us moving the ball forward and Dusty going out was disappointing but we had to be smart with that decision. Having him back will help.”