JARRYD Roughead is under no illusions about who is the main man up forward for the Hawks.

A 75-goal effort in a season would make most players the star goalkicker in their team but Roughead is more than aware that despite his brilliant 2008 season he is still the support act to Lance Franklin.

And he wouldn’t have it any other way. The two forwards, who were drafted to the Hawks within seconds of each other in 2004, have gone on to become the AFL’s deadliest two-pronged attack.

Roughead says he and his close friend Franklin have developed a unique understanding and mutual respect.

“We know each other’s game pretty well just from playing with each other. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and know not to yell at each other or have a go at each other,” Roughead said.

“Being able to play with each other week in, week out and knowing where we both run is good for us and the team.”

For much of the pre-season just gone, a recovering Franklin watched on as Roughead found himself in strange territory as Hawthorn’s focal point.

But he is quick to cast aside the unfamiliar glare of the spotlight.

“I wouldn’t say I was the one main man but with him out it allows other blokes to get a chance,” he said.

“We had Thorpey (Mitch Thorp), Beau Dowler and Cyril (Rioli) go down deep. It gives them a chance to play different roles but once the big fella comes back it’ll slot in nicely to what it was last year.”

The big forward from Leongatha is hardly staying unnoticed in the football world. Only last weekend, Essendon great Matthew Lloyd predicted he would kick 100 goals this season.

Again, Roughead deferred the attention to his higher-profile teammate.

“The other fella I’m playing next to has a fair chance I reckon. I don’t think it’s possible. It would be nice one day but I don’t think it will happen. I think the big fella will do it again but it would be nice if I could still kick a few like last year.”

Roughead is keen to point out that Hawthorn’s firepower up forward does not begin and end with the two talls but admits they do complement each other well.

“If he’s not getting it, I am and vice versa,” he said.

“But there are other blokes down there who stepped up last year and had good pre-seasons this year. It’s not a two man forward line because there are heaps of other blokes down there kicking goals.”

Roughead’s emphasis on his teammates is typical of the camaraderie that has defined the Hawthorn squad, which is still the youngest in the competition.

The 22-year-old said the closeness among the playing group was integral to its success last year.

“We’re very young so it’s like a bunch of school kids going out and having fun,” he said.

“There are a few that live together and a lot of us live in the Hawthorn area. We’re always catching up and having a meal. If we’re a bit bored we’ll ring up one another and hang out,” he said.

Roughead said the camaraderie extended to off the field and his teammates were happy to combine their jobs with their personal lives.

“I always hang out with the boys. Probably two or three times a week we’ll have dinner with each other or go out for breakfast,” he said.

“It honestly feels like you’re hanging around with your best mates and having a kick of the footy around the park.”

Dream Team watch – Jarryd Roughead is rated a $352,500 forward in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.