DEVELOPING more forward line leaders will be a focus in Jarryd Roughead’s absence, according to star Hawk Jordan Lewis.
With vice-captain Roughead due to miss the first half of 2016 through injury, fellow vice-captain Lewis said it was a golden opportunity for the club’s emerging forward-line leaders to step up.
While much has been spoken about finding a key forward replacement – with the likes of James Sicily, Tim O’Brien and Jack Fitzpatrick all in the frame this pre-season – Lewis said Roughead’s leadership skills were also invaluable to the team.
“I think that’s probably the biggest area that we’ll need to fill,” he said.
“We’ve designed a structure so that if someone goes out, someone can step in, but I think the leadership role is a pretty big one that Roughy leaves in our forward line.
“He’s been the commander there for probably 10 years now, so these young guys really need to get on-board, step up and perform in that area.”
The Hawks forward line – containing the likes of emerging leader Jack Gunston and All Australians Luke Breust and Cyril Rioli – isn’t short on talent, and Lewis believes it’s an exciting opportunity for the younger brigade.
“Roughy’s a pretty vocal guy… there’s an opportunity there for some to step up and take a bit of control over how the forward line functions,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity for Luke Breust and those sort of guys to take over while Roughy’s out.”
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