Jayden Short is ready to take Richmond into their next era of success.
The 26-year-old answered the call when the Tigers needed midfield reinforcements earlier in the season, switching from half-back.
He has thrived, averaging 24.5 disposals and 588.9 metres gained and helping Richmond charge into the finals.
"It's been a bit of a challenge and something that I've had to work on and something I've had to learn, it's new," Short told AAP ahead of Thursday's elimination final against Brisbane at the Gabba.
"I've enjoyed the challenge, to be honest. It's always good to challenge yourself as you get a bit older."
Always challenging Short, on and off the field, is teammate and housemate Liam Baker.
"He's just an amazing player and he just works his arse off," Short said.
"He wants to be the best player he can be, it's pretty inspiring to see him go about it and it certainly motivates me to be a better player as well."
Getting better each year has become a habit for Short.
He just missed out on the 2017 premiership team, then busted a gut to make the cut in 2019 before winning Richmond's best and fairest in the 2020 triumph.
"That's (improving each year) something I've strived to do since the day I walked in the doors," he said.
"I had a pretty good mentor in (recently retired Tiger) Kane Lambert who showed me the ropes early days.
"He got drafted at 23. I was 18. I didn't have much of an idea of what hard work was to be honest.
"From the day I met him, all he really showed me was the harder you work, the luckier you will get.
"So I just chased his arse around for a few years and just tried to do everything that he did and I think it's held me in good stead."
Short, signed until the end of 2027, has delighted in the emergence of young teammates like Josh Gibcus and Noah Cumberland.
He's enjoying teaching them, just like Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and the retiring Shane Edwards did for him all those years ago.
"They're just amazing people and they've made these club who we are and we're lucky that they're still here to be honest, so I hope they (Cotchin and Riewoldt) continue on," he said.
"But it is awesome that I can be here and see the club grow."
