Hawthorn champion Jarryd Roughead has called time on his AFL career and will be given a farewell game against Gold Coast.
The four-time premiership player has largely been confined to the VFL this season but will be recalled to the senior team for Sunday’s clash at Marvel Stadium.
A two-time All-Australian, Coleman Medallist and former club captain, Roughead has played 282 games for the Hawks.
Roughead’s retirement was made official on Monday but his inability to get a game for much of this season meant it had been coming for some time.
Hawks fans will at least get the chance to farewell the 32-year-old, something they were denied with fellow club greats Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis.
Both Mitchell and Lewis were encouraged by coach Alastair Clarkson to find new homes in the twilight of their careers, going on to play for West Coast and Melbourne respectively.
Roughead will be fondly remembered not just for his on-field achievements but for the courage he showed during his battle with cancer.
The key forward was diagnosed with a recurrence of melanoma in May 2016 but returned at the start of 2017 after successfully undergoing treatment.
“I am content with everything I have achieved in my career to date and I know it’s the right time for myself, my family and the club,” Roughead said in a club statement.
“To play this great game for such a long time and to have experienced success like we have is something I’ll never take for granted.
“I want to thank everyone at the Hawthorn football club for supporting me through all the highs and lows. The bonds and friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime.
“And lastly, a big thank you to the Hawthorn members and supporters. It’s been an incredibly humbling experience playing in front of you for all these years.”
After making his debut in 2005, Roughead quickly cemented his spot in the senior side and was part of the Hawks’ 2008 premiership team.
The versatile tall was in his prime during the Hawks’ 2013-15 premiership three-peat, booting 72 goals in 2013 to win the Coleman Medal.
“Rough has been an outstanding custodian of the brown and gold for such a long time,” Clarkson said.
“Like any player who plays for a long period of time, Rough has had to endure both the highs and the lows that life can sometimes present, while playing footy at the elite level.
“In these times, he has always demonstrated courage, humility and dignity. We are lucky to have witnessed such an extraordinary career.”
Alchemist
Guest
Good point. Just waiting for another big upset a la last year's prelim.
TomC
Roar Guru
You're probably right, but I reckon strange things could happen in this year's finals. Everyone is beatable.
Alchemist
Guest
Even if they manage to somehow beat the eagles and miraculously make finals, they'd only be making up the numbers anyway. Far too inconsistent this year, you only have to look back 2 weeks to the North Melbourne loss. Nothing wrong at all with farewelling a champion of the club with one last game.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I can understand that view. I agree his versatility made him a more valuable team member. But I don't think he's in the same stratosphere as Buddy. Buddy's record is phenomenal.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Cyril had one great GF performance and was consistently good in big games. But he was in my opinion generally a 'bit-part player' who had a larger impact than his low possession count indicated. Clearly he is very popular with Hawk supporters and attracts special love, and I know he won 3 AA guernsey, which is impressive. I always felt he was good but overrated.
Brian
Guest
He's borderline all-time team but I can't find a spot for him in my VXIII FB Ayres Moore Langford HB Hodge Mew Knights C Dipper Mitchell Crawford HF Buckenera Brereton Arthur FF Dunstall Hudson Franklin R Scott Mathews Tuck
Nineteen
Guest
@Pumping Dougie. A mate of mine that is a mad keen Richmond supporter said to me back in 2013 that he would choose Roughy ahead of Franklin in a game of footy because he could play back, in the ruck, roll through the middle and kick goals. Whilst Roughy did win a Coleman I think its fair to say that it was his versatility that stood out. I do recall a segment on the AFL website a few years ago where players were interviewed who they thought the best bloke from an opposition club that they played on was and Harry Taylor said "Jarryd Roughhead."
Nineteen
Guest
@Birdman That pile drive of Hanners into the ground was epic. I kept waiting for the club to show that on his highlight reel and finally saw it towards the end. Imagine how long Buddy's highlight reel is going to be...
Nineteen
Guest
@Peter Warrington Not sure why a skin cancer survivor would want to move to a tropical climate.
Boo
Guest
Cyril?
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Farewell champ and all the best. Hawthorn supporters - I acknowledge Roughy has been a fantastic player (and a great bloke), but I don't consider him remotely among the All time great AFL forwards - would he make Hawthorn's greatest ever side? Just a query, not trying to show any disrespect. I'd have Dunstall, Brereton, Hudson, Buckenera and Buddy as automatics, and probably Crawford or Platten in the pocket.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
Glad to see Roughead getting a farewell game, he's a legend of the game and has the fight of a champion. Although the Hawks still have a chance to play finals, I do not think there is much of a risk factor playing him in a game against Gold Coast, which is a guaranteed win for almost every time in the league
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
My little baby girl has been keeping me very busy. That and work. Will be good to get back into the footy in the evenings and chat again.
TomC
Roar Guru
Hawthorn probably won't lose, but there's still quite a lot at stake in this game. The Suns have had three losses by 90+ points in the last six matches. If the Hawks can manage a similar margin it puts their percentage right up there with the Power and the Crows. They'd probably still need to beat the Eagles away, but West Coast aren't invulnerable. My understanding is that Roughead has been struggling when playing forward in the VFL, and presumably he'll play forward against the Suns. It's not exaggerating to suggest that his presence might cost the Hawks three or four goals, nor is it an exaggeration to say that might be the difference between making finals or not. I really do approve of the sentiment, and I'm sure this is hugely popular with the playing group and the fans, but in my opinion they should have stuck with a team first approach.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
they won't, Doc. Good to hear from you BTW
Birdman
Roar Rookie
there isn't a sunhat big enough to entice Roughy that far north. yep, the guy is a champion player and human - I feel blessed he played for the brown and gold and will never forget his bump on Hannerberry in the 2014 grannie as a defining moment in he club's history.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
They won't.
Peter Warrington
Guest
Surely he is the perfect fit for Gold Coast A great career either way for by all accounts a great guy, we are very blessed to still have him with us.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
They wouldn't want to lose this game.