Talented Richmond rebounding small defender Jayden Short further enhanced his reputation with those two thumping, team-lifting first-quarter goals he scored against Collingwood at the MCG yesterday.

Twice, within the space of about 30 seconds, an unmanned Short placed himself in perfect position to receive the handball from teammates, who were just out of their set-shot goalkicking range.

The first time, he accepted the handball from Jason Castagna, who had marked about 45 metres out on a 45-degree angle at the Punt Road end of the stadium.

Short took a few steps and then casually roosted a superb 55-metre goal.

Moments later, in almost the identical spot on the ground, debutant Liam Baker dished off the handball to Short, for exactly the same result.

He now has nine goals for the season, with most of them coming in similar fashion . . . quietly slipping alongside a teammate, collecting the handball, and then launching a bomb through the big sticks.

By game’s end, Short had a total of 19 disposals, with four rebound-50s, three inside-50s and an impressive 549 metres gained.

“He was really good early . . . kicked those couple of goals. They probably put a bit of work into him after that,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said in his press conference following the 28-point victory over the Magpies.

“He’s such an impressive, young man. He’s a real footy head, he’s a very popular member of our football club and we love the way he plays and what he brings.

“He’s had a really great season. He had a good season last year; he was really unlucky to miss out on the final part of the season, but he’s been a really important part of why we’ve improved as a side this year.”

Short is averaging 20.3 disposals per match this season and is ranked No. 1 in the competition for total metres gained.