Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson has backed Jarryd Roughead to play on next season, shutting down external commentary surrounding the skipper’s future.

Roughead, who’s kicked 29 goals from 20 appearances so far this season, has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks as to whether the Hawks would seek to keep the four-time premiership player on their list heading into 2019, but Clarkson says the skipper is a certainty to be at the club in 2019.

“Roughy’s contracted for next year, we expect him to play next year.” Clarkson told SEN.

“We’re both on exactly the same page.”

“Unless something changes unbelievably dramatically – which it can, but unlikely to – Roughy’ll be playing at Hawthorn next year.”

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Clarkson said that while the club and Roughead had held discussions in recent weeks, a move at season’s end wasn’t on the table.

“All the discussions that I’ve had in the last six weeks with him have just been about presenting him with options so that we can talk transparently about all the different things,” Clarkson said.

“This is about his next six years not his next six months.

“After all those discussions, his view is that he wants to continue with the Hawks next year and there’s no reason why we don’t want to support that because he is contracted.

“So he’ll be running around in the brown and gold jumper next year.”

The Hawks will now prepare to take on reigning premiers Richmond in a qualifying final clash in just over a week’s time, with Clarkson relishing the opportunity to find out exactly how far this Hawks sidehas come after missing the finals last year.

“It’s going to be intriguing but we’re really looking forward to the challenge,” he said

“We’ve got ourselves an opportunity to challenge against the best side that’s been going around for the last 12 months and that’ll tell us a lot about our group.”