Jarryd Roughead continues to grow in importance. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP
LANCE Franklin may be the million-dollar man, but Jarryd Roughead is the most precious piece of Hawthorn's forward puzzle, according to former goalkicking coach Ben Dixon.
As Franklin continues to weigh up the biggest contract offer in Hawthorn's history, Roughead has produced the form of his life, kicking 59 goals while adding another big-bodied weapon to Alastair Clarkson's midfield.
Going in to tonight's blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG, Roughead sits second in the Coleman Medal race behind West Coast's Josh Kennedy.
But it has been his stints in the midfield that have helped the No.2 draft pick show his full armoury and become one of the most versatile and complete players in the game.
He has averaged 3.1 goals and 16 possessions a match, up from three and 12 in his 2008 premiership campaign.
"It's definitely my most consistent year," Roughead told the Herald Sun.
"In 2008, I might only have eight or nine touches and kick a couple (of goals) a game."
He said he was enjoying his time in the midfield because "I can go get the nut rather than just having it delivered it to me all the time".
Dixon, the 203-game forward who helped mentor Roughead on the field and later as forwards coach, said the 26-year-old's year so far was a "9 1/2 out of 10".
Dixon said Roughead, who re-signed this year for two more seasons, was more important to the Hawks on-field than Franklin.
"I love 'Franko', but Roughead has been more consistent and the reward he is getting in front of goal now is enormous," he said.
"He doesn't miss his shots and the versatility he has shown playing inside the centre square and not as a ruckman - he just has an uncanny ability for a big man below his knees.
"He is so clean it's amazing and he has learnt how to use that big body as a weapon. He is a beast.
"And he has a lot of presence on and off the field."
Dixon said Roughead was a strong candidate to take over from Luke Hodge as Hawthorn's next captain, such was the respect teammates had for him.
"He is so level-headed and extremely well respected," Dixon said.
"Part of that is the way he holds himself on the field and away from the footy club.
"But you talk to (fitness coach) Andrew Russell and go through the figures over the last five years.
"Of the key-position players he rates in 90th percentile for workrate.
"He doesn't miss a session, he does everything to a tee and, aside from that achilles injury, his body never breaks down. That's because he ticks every box. His preparation is flawless."
Franklin, who is seventh in this year's Coleman Medal race with 47 goals, paid tribute to his teammate this week, saying Roughead's impact on games was still underrated.
"Roughy is in terrific form. He has had an unbelievable season," Franklin said on SEN. "I reckon Roughy would be winning the best-and-fairest by a long way.
"Every week he is kicking goals and getting a lot of touches, and the best thing about him is he is a team player."
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