Former Hawk Campbell Brown has thrown his weight behind Hawthorn skipper Jarryd Roughead, declaring him too important a part of the side to not see out his contract on in 2019.
Speaking to SEN Breakfast on Wednesday morning, Brown said that while speculation had grown around his premiership teammate’s future, he believed the 31-year old was still far too vital to the team’s forward set-up.
“I think Jarryd will play on next year,” Brown said.
“He’s obviously contracted and I think Hawthorn need him, they don’t have a big-framed key position forward that can take his place.
“If you go down and watch the VFL they’ve got a couple of young skinny key forwards coming through the ranks.
“Jack Gunston is an outstanding forward, but he doesn’t play the big power-house key position.”
While the Hawks’ goalkicking has been led by the likes of small forward Luke Breust (41 goals) and 193-cm, 87-kg Gunston (33) this season, Brown said that Roughead has provided far more than his 26 majors from 17 appearances suggests.
The skipper leads the club for contested marks with 22 in 2018, while sits second for marks inside 50 (33), goal assists (13) and also leads the club’s forwards for one percenters (45).
As well, the four-time premiership player has proved incredibly durable, missing just two games in the last two seasons.
“His body’s been good, he hasn’t missed a lot of footy over the last couple of years,” Brown said.
“And while he’s not probably playing the football we know he can I still think he’s contributing and offering a fair bit out there on weekends.
“I was at the game (against Carlton)… and he only kicked a goal, but he blocked, and he set up a couple of others for Breust and Puopolo and he’s doing the team things well.”
“So Roughy is still a pretty important member of that footy side, and not to mention the fact that he’s the skipper.”
