Dual premiership player Jayden Short was rushed out of winless Richmond’s clash with Melbourne on Friday night after wife Maddy went into labour hours before the bounce.

The couple announced the impending arrival of their first child — a boy — last November.

And family came first for Short, 30, over the Anzac Eve blockbuster with the Demons.

Richmond were already without acting captain Tim Taranto (concussion), Maurice Rioli Jr (hamstring) and Sam Banks (shoulder).

But in a positive Tom Lynch returned alongside Jacob Hopper and Tom Brown.

Last year’s No.7 draft pick Sam Cumming finally secured his chance after a shoulder injury cruelled his early-season hopes, while supplemental selection period signing Tom Burton also picked up his first guernsey.

The pair were presented with their jumpers by 1980 premiership player Mick Malthouse.

Their debuts brought Richmond’s tally to 36 players used in seven games this season.

James Trezise came into the side to replace Short.

Short’s absence means he is now in line to reach the 200-game milestone in Dreamtime at the ‘G against Essendon next month.

The Tigers’ fourth-most experienced player, he remains part of their leadership group despite no longer holding a formal vice-captaincy role.

Short proposed to Maddy on an off-season holiday in 2023 and the pair celebrated their wedding in January last year.

He will now become one of few dads among the Richmond players with the club in the midst of a significant rebuild.

Nathan Broad and Toby Nankervis each have a young child while Lynch is expecting his first child with wife Olivia later this year.