Jarryd Roughead made a remarkable recovery in 2012 from the Achilles injury that halted his season in 2011.
When many were of the view Roughead would return hindered, slower, with less spring in his step the Hawks big man proved them wrong.
Instead, he made one of the most successful returns from a long-term injury in the modern game. It was as if he had never missed a game, a minute of football.
His comeback was one of the feel good stories of Hawthorn’s year and, when he kicked a goal in his comeback match against Geelong in Round 2, it was emotion that filled Roughead, his teammates and the Hawthorn faithful.
There was doubt Roughead would return to the second ruck position after the Hawks were criticized for using him in the position in 2011 after he tore his Achilles when preparing for a ruck contest from a boundary throw in.
But, Coach Alastair Clarkson backed Roughead and Roughead backed himself to get the job done, to rise and have an impact as the Hawks’ second ruckman.
With Max Bailey out with injury, David Hale and Roughead formed one of the league’s most versatile ruck combinations in the competition, and one that at times, proved dangerous.
Roughead’s versatility not only enabled him to compete with the league’s giants, but also become a threat on the ground, almost acting like an extra midfielder at times.
He’s a hard worker who loves to get his hands dirty, and he showed that by ranking 12th at the Club for tackles and remarkably, fourth for clearances behind midfield guns Sam Mitchell, Brad Sewell and Jordan Lewis.
It is hard to believe someone who ranks fourth at the Club for clearances can also finish third on the Club’s goal kicking leaderboard.
While filling the role of second ruckman, Roughead never lost sight of his main role in the side, to line up alongside champion full forward Lance Franklin and kick goals. He finished with 41 for the year.
After missing the opening match of the season, Roughead missed only one other game for the year, the Round 21 win over Port Adelaide in Tasmania.
His best goal kicking return was a bag of six against Greater Western Sydney in Round 15 - almost all of those coming in the second half after Franklin was subbed out of the game.
He was also one of Hawthorn’s better players in the Round 5 loss to Sydney, proving a headache for the Swans particularly in the opening half of the game. In fact, it was that match, where Roughead, in the first half in particular showed he had lost no mobility, no confidence in his body after the injury.
He moved freely, showed he can compete below his knees and most importantly, was as dangerous as ever in the air.
Perhaps though, the toll of a long season after half a year out of the game took its toll on the Hawks’ big man who had a quiet finals series, managing just one goal in the three finals matches.
But, his season as a whole was outstanding, giving the Hawks an extra dimension and highlighting once again league-wide, the value of a player who can dominate games up forward, but also compete well and be dangerous when he has a stint in the ruck.
| GA | K | H | D | DE% | CP | UP | M | CL | T | I50 | G | PCM | |
| 2012 averages | 23 | 9.9 | 7.2 | 17 | 67 | 9.3 | 8 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 104 |
Hawks players celebrate Roughead's first goal in his comeback game against the Cats.
Roughead in the news in 2012
Roughead silences ruck doubters We're building: RougheadVideos featuring Roughead in 2012
Roughead marks strong Roughead off the groundHow did you rate Roughead's 2012 season? Leave your view below.
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