Hawthorn’s campaign for a fourth-straight AFL premiership has suffered a significant blow with Jarryd Roughead to miss half the season.
The Hawks revealed on Sunday that the tall utility needs knee surgery that will put him out of action for four to five months.
Roughead, a four-time Hawthorn premiership star, is one of their most important players.
Hawthorn football manager Chris Fagan told the club website that Roughead had been managing a posterior cruciate ligament injury.
“We found out this morning that Jarryd requires a PCL reconstruction, which means that he’s not going to be available to play until somewhere in the middle of the season,” Fagan said.
“That’s a fair stint out – somewhere between four to five months.
“He’s actually had a PCL injury for a long time, but in the past if it’s got a little bit sore he just has a day off and it clears up and he continues to train and play.”
Fagan added that Roughead’s pre-season had gone well until Christmas.
“For some unknown reason the knee’s got sore just lately and not recovering when we’ve given him a rest,” he said.
The Hawks expect Roughead to have surgery most likely in the next fortnight.
It is a weekend of big contrasts for Roughead – the bad news was made public a day after he married Sarah Dunn in Melbourne.
Last year, Roughead missed two games after he needed surgery to remove a skin cancer from his bottom lip.
“Roughs had a few challenges in the last little while – this is just another one,” Fagan said.
“He’ll take that in his stride, and as he said to me the other day, he’ll be really fresh in the second half of the year and can’t wait for that to come around.”
Roughead has played 231 senior games since his 2005 debut.
Along with the Hawks’ last three flags, he was also a member of their 2008 premiership team.
Roughead won the 2013 Coleman Medal and his extended absence will mean a significant reorganisation of Hawthorn’s attack.
“It does give some opportunities for some of our younger forwards like James Sicily and Tim O’Brien to step up,” Fagan said.
“So were really looking forward to seeing how those guys go, knowing that we’ve got Rough coming back on-board mid-season.”
paulywalnuts
Guest
Correct Don! You ability to fill in the blank is clearly superior to your _ _ _ _ _ _ of Melville. Well done you!
mattyb
Guest
Lol Don Freo,trying to educate a Hawthorn supporter. We all love a challenge but your attempting a reasonably tough task here.
Don Freo
Guest
It sounds obsessive...and illegal. Do you mean: "He could have the whale...well alone..."? "He could have the whale well...alone..."? or "He could have the whale well alone..."? They all sound a little sick. Perhaps you mean that he could have LEFT the whale well alone See, when you don't think for yourself, even the stories you repeat lose their sense.
paulywalnuts
Guest
Not true Don. He could have the whale well alone as members of his crew were urging. Ahab chased not a threat but an obsession.
mattyb
Guest
Yep,nice try there Paul. Keep working at it as the minds a powerful tool you may find when you learn to use yours properly.Don't get frustrated though, if it doesn't come straight away,hang it there and keep trying.
Don Freo
Guest
Ahab chased something he perceived to be a threat. No one sees a brown and gold threat this year. Good attempt at a thought, though. Don't mind a good metaphor.
paulywalnuts
Guest
Yes Don. I THOUGHT of who mattyb reminded me of. Though the one of you is a little flattering, I'll admit. I'll try and think of something better. Don Ahab perhaps, brought to madness in pursuit of his brown and gold whale...
mattyb
Guest
Don,that question is only going to confuse the poor lad. To help though it appears thinking for himself is more fearful than faceing the downward spiral awaiting his sickening club.
paulywalnuts
Guest
Weakness? Failing? It gets funnier still...
Don Freo
Guest
Did he say something nasty? I never read people's links. It means they can't think of how to say it themselves. Pauly? Do you think for yourself?
mattyb
Guest
And when a weakness and failing has been spotted,go the knuckle. So very,very Hawthorn again
paulywalnuts
Guest
I'd love to indulge you Chester but you're a doggies fan, right? You really should be trying to wind up Melbourne fans, and gradually work your way up from there.
mattyb
Guest
Dear oh dear pauly. It appears you have to get your comments and thoughts the same way Hawthorn get their ageing players. No need to develop your own when you can just take someone else's is there.
paulywalnuts
Guest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVNHcob3oJg
paulywalnuts
Guest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVNHcob3oJg
mattyb
Guest
Edit that should have been 12-6.
mattyb
Guest
I think your right there Don Freo. It's going to be tight for spots between 12-14 so you would think this will make it tougher for Hawthorn. Could easily see them as one of the club's missing out unfortunately. I understand Roughead is only really a 'depth' player but I'm not sure there are to many AFL standard replacements.
Don Freo
Guest
Pretty soft Roughie!! Fyfey plays with broken legs and crippled thighs. Hawks will struggle to kick 10 a game now.