Hawthorn has announced the return of Jarryd Roughead, a four-time premiership forward who has joined the club’s recruitment staff.
Roughead has been named as player acquisition manager, with a focus on trades and free agency.
The ex-Hawk, who has 283 games and 578 goals, was most recently a member of St Kilda’s recruiting team, having previously served as a mentor and coach with the Saints.
After leaving St Kilda this offseason, the 36-year-old’s return to Waverley has been confirmed, with Roughead taking up a job in the Hawks’ list management staff.
His arrival will mean national recruiter Mark McKenzie can place a greater focus on scouting talent through junior pathways at the draft.
“We have been very open and candid about our list strategy and the path we are taking to return to playing finals. “We understand that having more skilled resources in this area gives us the best chance of success,” Hawthorn football manager Rob McCartney said.
“Jarryd’s skill set allows us to focus more on obtaining talent through trade and free agency.
“The club is dedicated to improving the recruiting and list department by adding more resources over the next 12 months, which will increase our capacity to deliver on our club goal.
“Skilled resources in specific roles will be important to us as we continue to build and maximise our list through the mechanisms available in draft, trade and free agency.”
Roughead played for the brown and gold for 15 years, leading the club in goalkicking three times, winning a Coleman Medal and two All-Australian selections, and serving as captain in 2017 and 2018.
The Leongatha junior is the latest ex-Hawthorn staffer to return to Bunjil Bagora, after Brett Ratten (head of coaching performance & development) and Rodney Eade (capital campaign executive) in their new duties ahead of the 2024 season.
