Veteran Hawk Roughead steps down as captain

Jarryd Roughead resigned as captain

JARRYD Roughead retired as captain of Hawthorn after two years in the role.

The highly respected striker took the helm of Luke Hodge as the club's skipper in 2017, after missing the entire season due to a knee injury and a cancer treatment.

Four-time Premier and two-time All Australian, Roughead was 23-1-20 in his two years as captain, leading the Hawks to the semi-finals in 2018.

Scheduled to be 32 in January, Roughead announced his decision via a statement on Tuesday.

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"It has been an honor and a privilege to run the club for the past two years, but I think it's in the best interest of myself and the club to take the reins," he said. said Roughead.

"Being a captain is a big responsibility and I think the best thing for the team now is that I focus on my own game and make the best of myself in the field.

"Of course, I will always be there to support whoever will take the next role, but I think the club is ready to be led by a new player."

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Midfielder duo Isaac Smith and Liam Shiels are among the top candidates for captaincy in 2019, having shared the role of vice-captain throughout last season.

Ben Stratton and Jack Gunston were also in a five man leadership group, Hawthorn.

But the club has not decided who will be the next skipper. Graham Wright, the boss of football, said that he would take advantage of the summer to make an appeal to his next leader.