2013 was the best season of Jarryd Roughead’s career.
The hulking forward won the Coleman Medal as the AFL’s leading goal kicker, was named All Australian and was one of a number of Hawks that could have won the Club’s best and fairest.
He finished second behind Josh Gibson and was unlucky not to win the award such was his outstanding season.
What was astonishing about his year and the fact he won the Coleman Medal was that he rarely, if ever played exclusively as a forward in each of his 25 games.
In 2013, Roughead became one of the AFL’s most versatile players and someone everyone wishes they had at their disposal.
Alastair Clarkson shocked the footy world when he sent Roughead into the centre square as a midfielder, rather than a ruckman but it proved a masterstroke and turned his power forward into a player he can turn to make an impact in the midfield.
His response to the challenge showed his great character and willingness to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the AFL that demands its players to be able to play in a variety of positions and fulfil different roles.
Because of that versatility, he was nominated by his teammates for the AFL Player’s Association MVP award and received votes to win by his peers.
Roughead kicked 68 goals in 22 matches during the home and away season and finished two goals clear of Collingwood’s Travis Cloke in the race for the Coleman.
Interestingly though, he was also ranked fourth at the Club for goal assists.
He averaged 3.09 goals per game, 16.3 disposals and 4.6 marks per game but illustrating his versatility, also averaged 2.4 clearances.
In fact, he was ranked third at the Club for contested possessions behind midfield stars Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis and was also ranked fourth for clearances.
Roughead was also ranked in the top 10 for one percenters at the Club.
The dominant forward was a consistent goal kicker all season, kicking majors in all but one game (against Richmond in Round 19) and booting bags of five on four occasions (against GWS, West Coast, Port Adelaide and St Kilda).
He also kicked four goals in seven games, three goals in four games and was a multiple goal kicker in 19 of his 25 matches.
The move into the midfield helped raise his confidence and get him involved in the game, which in turn assisted when he played out of the goal square.
His marking and ability to lead-up to the ball improved this year and his work below his knees just as good as it was before rupturing his achilles in 2011.
Roughead gathered 10 or more disposals in each of his matches and gathered a season-high 27 disposals against Sydney in the Grand Final re-match of Round 7.
He was a valuable contributor during the finals series with four goals in three matches and was deserving of his premiership medal and status now as a dual Hawthorn Premiership player.
What Chris Fagan said: “Roughead had an outstanding year; it was probably his best year in footy.
“He is widely recognised in the AFL now as one of the most valuable players going around because of his versatility.”
Roughead in the news in 2013
- Roughead re-signs
- Roughead wins first Coleman Medal
Videos featuring Roughead in 2013
- Roughead speaks at the Peter Crimmins Medal
