Roughead unveiled as Hawthorn captain

'But then again, the truth can be unpleasant to some people.' How ironic.

Huh? So what's unpleasant about what I say then? Calling me names is unpleasant, but I'm a big boy and I can handle it. I only ever discuss the issue; it's the name calling that's unpleasant. But then again, the truth can be unpleasant to some people.

Nobody is forgetting the infamous BBQ, aye.

Ah Don I know who to look to for advice on coping with a dogs breakfast of a season ......... but you were on the money with Roughy. I'm elated and surprised at the appointment, given his time off the park but the relief of his recovery is a huge morale booster for everyone involved with the club, regardless of what the season brings - around 6th or 7th at the end of the H&A I reckon. Roughy's such a great bloke he'll lend you one of his jumpers for your end of season BBQ.

Inspirational guy who leads from the front. Good choice, I reckon. Hope all his major health challenges are behind him for good.

I like Hawthorn, as a team other than the mighty Power that is, Roughy seems like a good guy, so yeah I hope it goes alright.

Now Penster, I suggested this a while ago and you dismissed the suggestion. It is inspirational...and, poor buggers, you're gonna need it this year.

This will probably make him more of a totem for Hawthorn through this year. He was going to be anyway, but this will put him even more front and centre to the team whether he is back 100% playing wise immediately or not.

He's not necessarily wrong, though, when he notes there's "growing prevalence of name-calling toward people with dissenting views on this page."

My opinion is that you're a piece of work. And it's not because I disagree with you. It's because you're consistently unpleasant.

Good call,after what he's going through to play again is fantastic and you would think the players will give their all for him. He has always seemed the type that brings a team together like an unofficial leader. My only concern Is related to my working experience as I have often been seen as the leader and everyone works for me but the couple of times I have taken the top job It hasn't really worked out the same way. He is the logical captain but I reckon they would have done better just let him concentrate on his footy,He could be the major factor that stops the predicted Hawks slide and might even have them getting a sneaky flag. Anyway they had the perfect new captain in mitchell lewis(is that his name?couldnt be bothered checking).

Leigh Matthews was a sniper too. In fact, he was one of the biggest snipers of all time.

Steady on Penny. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if it's different to yours. Unfortunately I'm noticing a growing prevalence of name-calling toward people with dissenting views on this page. It's becoming like the soccer page.

I agree, Mitchell wasn't a good captain, which is why he stepped down. Don't confuse this issue though, because despite Mitchell being a premiership captain, I'd be certain many at Hawthorn probably felt a little lucky being 2008 premiers. You can call that sour grapes coming from a Cats man, but I'm certain the board wouldn't have seen his leadership as a model for sustained success. Andrew Ireland also made similar commentary following Buddies acquisition. He noted that despite their 2012 premiership against the Hawks, there was an element of luck involved; just like their 2005 year — Buddies signing was to give them a medium term competitive edge. Just because it hasn't worked for them at present, doesn't mean the decision was wrong either or the principal behind it. Captaincy is extremely important, so I'll beg to differ with you. I don't for a second believe Pav stepping down last year and Freo going to #@$% aren't intrinsically related. If you've played at a high level in any sport, you'll realise there's a BIG jump from vice to captain, let alone the leadership group. It's one thing to step-in for a game or two, but another to lead both on and off the field 24/7.

Rick your overstating the importance of a captain. Few thought Mitchell a great leader in 2008 or East Wood one in 2016. This isn't cricket all the decisions are made by the coaching staff and then the leadership group on the ground. Even with after match pressers the clubs bring whoever they desire there's no extra rules for captains. So all he will be doing is tossing the coin.

Up there with Lethal Leigh.

Gibbo, Hodge and possibly but less likely Burgoyne will hang up the bootstraps end of this season. I guess leadership roles gives the youngsters an opportunity to learn from the "dream team". Very emotional news for Hawthorn supporters, I will confess that Roughy never struck me as someone who'd look for a captaincy, seems naturally laconic but he's respected even more so after his health scare. Hodge will be very hard to replace, but Roughy's fought and won bigger battles, gives a man perspective.

Perhaps, but I could easily see Gibson just playing a sweeper role (which he kind of does now) in the same manner as Maxwell did for the Pies. Good position to captain from with Shiels gaining more experience before handing over the reigns. My main reasoning for Gibson though is I don't believe they have a perfect appointment at this stage. Perhaps Roughy is more a steward appointment too.

Gibson is an interesting choice, Rick as I think he's the most 'cooked' of the vets IMHO and totally too casual for the top leadership role but as you say, it's all about opinions.

I was merely using this crisis as reference: things can happen fast. Roughy needs to realise this. It's not just about tossing a coin and running out first, nor making casual comments to this effect. Captaincy is the complete package. Personally, I would have chosen Gibs, before handing over to Shiels in two years time.