We spoke to Hawthorn’s Director of High Performance Andrew Russell to find out which of our Hawks have impressed him most across the course of the pre-season.
Catch up: Pre-season stars - 7
Name: Jarryd Roughead
Age: 31
Guernsey: 2
Senior games (2017): 22
Senior games (career): 253
After undergoing surgery on his left knee in December the Hawks skipper wasted no time, returning to the track just nine days after the operation.
Despite missing the Hawks training camp in New Zealand, the veteran has impressed on the track as he looks to improve on an impressive 2017.
Last year Roughead returned to play every match after a year out of the game, kicking 38 goals and averaging 17.9 disposals, with arguably his best game for the season coming in the final round.
Roughead produced a five-goal performance along with 19 disposals and ten marks, against the Western Bulldogs and will be hoping to carry the good form into his second season as captain.
The four-time premiership star was also prominent in the club’s recent intraclub hit-out accumulating 14 disposals, three marks and two clearances while also kicking a goal.
According to Russell, the skipper has been looking solid and is prepped to take some strong form into the 2018 season.
“Rough had a minor interruption to his knee prior to Christmas, but since then, he hasn’t missed a session,” said Russell.
“His speed and power look to be back to what they were in 2015, so it’s pretty exciting to watch.”
Just two more of Russell's pre-season stand outs to be revealed... Stay tuned.