In celebration of captain Jarryd Roughead’s 31st Birthday, hawthorn.com.au takes a look below at how the big man has aged with the five best performances from his first 50 games.

5. Hawthorn v Essendon Round 3, 2005 MCG

Roughead made an impressive debut against the Bombers with two goals from 12 disposals and three marks. Donning the number 35 jumper, Roughead snared his first goal with a snap close to the boundary line after fellow recent draftee Lance Franklin sent a long ball deep inside, with the then 18-year-old collecting the loose ball and kicking truly.

4. Hawthorn v St Kilda Round 13, 2006 Telstra Dome

Going down to the Saints by 70 points, Roughead was the highest-ranked Hawk in a heavy defeat. Collecting his then-best tally of 22 disposals, along with nine marks, Roughead was positioned mainly in defence up against St Kilda key forwards Fraser Gehrig and Nick Riewoldt.

3. Hawthorn v Essendon Round 20, 2006 Telstra Dome

While just collecting the nine disposals against the Bombers, Rough scored more than two goals for the first time in his short career, finishing with a bag of four majors. His 34th career-game, the Leongatha product also pulled in four marks as the Hawks held on to finish 18-point winners, despite leading by 61 at half-time.

2. Hawthorn v Richmond Round 15, 2007 MCG

In his 49th outing for the Hawks, Roughead scored five goals for the second time in his career, leading the Hawks to an impressive 53-point win over the Tigers. Well supported by Lance Franklin (four goals), Roughead picked up 13 disposals and five marks as he took apart the Richmond defence.

1. Hawthorn v Carlton Round 12, 2007

The Hawks had a day out against the Blues, eventually winning by 100 points, with Roughead leading the Hawks’ goal-scorers with his first-ever bag of five majors. The number two ran rampant up forward with 17 disposals and nine marks in a dominant display by the Hawks.