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Hawks spring captaincy shock as Roughead steps up

Hawthorn have sensationally appointed returning forward Jarryd Roughead to replace Luke Hodge as captain of the AFL powerhouse – despite the spearhead being no guarantee to play as he recovers from cancer.

Jan 20, 2017, updated Jan 20, 2017
Jarryd Roughead will captain the Hawks in 2017.

Jarryd Roughead will captain the Hawks in 2017.

The 29-year-old Roughead will take over from fellow four-time premiership winner Hodge after the midfielder spent 125 games in the role.

“It’s an enormous responsibility but I’m ready for the challenge and can’t wait to lead this group of players,” Roughead said in a statement.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play under one of our game’s best captains in Hodgey and I’ll certainly take a lot of what he has taught me into the role.”

Liam Shiels and Isaac Smith will be the Hawks’ vice-captains.

Hodge, who led the club to three premierships, said the time was right to stand down, and that Roughead was the best man for the job.

Roughead has previously expressed confidence he would be available for an early-season return to the AFL after missing all of 2016 while he received treatment for melanoma.

The two-time All Australian was diagnosed the skin cancer in May last year and wasn’t expected to make a return until mid-2017.

But he received clearance from doctors just before Christmas to return to playing.

-AAP

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