A family rivalry will present itself at Aurora Stadium when the Western Bulldogs’ Jordan Roughead lines up on cousin Jarryd Roughead in the Dogs backline on Saturday.

Senior Coach Brendan McCartney confirmed the two would meet during the game, with the in-form Hawthorn cousin providing another challenge for the emerging Bulldogs defender.

“They will play on each other at some stage, I’m sure,” McCartney said.

“He’s a fantastic player, the Hawthorn version, and we think our young boy is 22 and he’s going to be a really good player too.

“He’s filled in really well for us this year and whether he becomes a ten year full back or a ten year ruckman / centre half forward we will still find out, but we’ve got a good young player.”

While Jarryd Roughead is currently tied in first place for the Coleman Medal, McCartney said the Bulldogs defender has been a dependable member of the back six and the coach is confident he can rise to the challenge.  

“Jordan Roughead is flying under the radar a little bit, he’s not standing out in games but he is getting the job done more often than not against tall forwards,” he said.

 Roughead leads the Bulldogs in one percenters and marks and has been a solid compliment to Dale Morris and Michael Talia, holding down key defensive posts.