HAWTHORN great Shane Crawford supports the use of Jarryd Roughead in the ruck, a ploy that was used successfully when Hawthorn defeated Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday.

The versatile Roughead, who typically plays forward, could even be called on to play in defence this Saturday night as a means of countering West Coast's height and mobility but Crawford feels he can be extremely effective in the ruck.

"I like him going through the ruck because he's a very good tap ruckman," Crawford said.

"He hits the ball well, he doesn't overdo it.

"He can sneak forward when there's the right match-ups; it gives more flexibility to the forward line.

"He can also play at centre half-back.

"But I'd rather him in the forward line and in the ruck. It just depends on who they're up against.

"He might have to play back this week because of the West Coast forward line being so big and tall and mobile."

Roughead is 193cm and 100kg. As a ruckman he would almost invariably play against opponents who are 200cm or taller.

He played in defence early in his career, which began in 2005, but he's been played mainly as a tall forward. In the premiership year of 2008, he kicked 75 goals.

The Hawks have played him as a ruckman only as a last resort during his 138 games.

On Sunday, Hawthorn ruckman Broc McCauley was a late withdrawal because of a stomach virus, leaving David Hale and Roughead to share ruck duties.

Roughead had 22 disposals, took six marks and had nine tap-outs. Hale had 23 tap-outs.

"He's got good touch," Crawford said of Roughead. "He's a smart player. I think he can add a lot in the ruck."

Crawford was speaking at the announcement that he is to replace another former Hawk, Robert DiPierdomenico, as the NAB AFL Auskick national manager.

He backed his claim over Roughead's best position with a curio from the 25-year-old's early days with the Hawks.

"The problem we had when Jarryd Roughead first came to Hawthorn was that he used to jump off two legs all the time," he said.

"We had to teach him to jump off one.

"Jumping off two legs around a ruck stoppage is not a problem. I think it actually helps."

Jarryd Roughead is a $414,600 forward in Toyota AFL Dream Team. Register your team here.