Jarryd Roughead has penned the following letter to the Hawthorn family...

To the members and supporters of the Hawthorn Football Club,

Thank you for what has been an amazing 15 years!

To retire from the game as a one club player is something pretty special.

I walked into this footy club as an 18-year-old kid from Leongatha and I leave here as a husband, father and much better person for my time spent in the brown and gold.

I’ve certainly been faced with my fair share of adversity, but I’ve been equally blessed to have encountered plenty of highs too. 

I've been able to do what most players only dream of; finish my career having tasted premiership success. The fact I've been able to play in four winning Grand Finals is certainly not something I take for granted. I hang up the boots completely content and aware that I'm one of the very lucky ones who will get to celebrate reunions every five years with some of my best mates.

The excitement and mateship that comes with walking into the club each morning is something I will no doubt miss, but I’m really looking forward to spending more time with my family, and I leave the Hawks content that the future of the brown and gold is bright.  

This year we have seen a new generation of Hawks emerge, and I’ve been lucky enough to mentor and play alongside a lot of them. This is an experience which I have thoroughly enjoyed and my time playing at Box Hill has been a ball.  I can’t wait to watch these guys develop over the coming years and hopefully they can taste some of the success that I’ve been able to experience.

Footy has given my family and I so much over the past 15 years. Sarah, Pippa and I will be forever grateful to the Hawthorn family for embracing us and supporting us unconditionally through the highs and lows.

I leave this footy club with lifelong friendships and immense pride in the culture of Hawthorn. To be part of a club and a team that achieved the success we did is something I will forever treasure. We were a pretty special group and I feel so incredibly humbled to have been part of it. 

To all my teammates over the journey – thank you. You made coming to the club each day easy – and I finish up my footy career feeling like I haven’t worked a day in my life. You made ‘work’ fun, memorable and rewarding. The friendships I have made are undoubtedly the highlight of my 15-year career. 

To Clarko, the coaches and medical team – thank you for believing in me, backing me in and ensuring I got every last ounce out of my body. I certainly would not have been able to overcome the injuries I have without your time, commitment and compassion. You are the best in the business and a big reason for the club’s success.

To my management team at TLA – thank you for all your support. You’ve worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure I could focus all my efforts on the field and for that I’ll always be grateful.

To my wife, Sarah – thank you for being the most constant support.  You are one of a kind and I most certainly would not be where I am today without you. You deserve the accolades as much as I do.

Finally, I would like to thank each and every member of the Hawthorn faithful. You have shown me nothing but love and kindness over the years and it has been an honour to run out in front of you each week.

Thank you, it’s been an honour and a privilege to call this great club home.

Looking forward to getting out there Sunday and hopefully celebrating a win with you all. 

Go the Hawks!

Rough