Jordan Roughead
Guernsey number: 23
2013 games: 22
Career games: 57
2013 goals: 2
Career goals: 12
 

Season in short:

Unearthed as a key defender late in 2012, Roughead consolidated the position beautifully in season 2013. Roughead consistently handled tall opposition forwards and acquitted himself with confidence. In the home and away season, he led the competition for one percenters, including spoils, while ranking 15^th for contested marks. Among the defender’s major scalps were Jonathan Brown and Jarrad Waite. But perhaps Roughead’s best effort came in the final game against Melbourne, with 16 disposals at 100% efficiency and nine marks including three contested grabs.

Stat that mattered:

While conventional stats may not always demonstrate a full back’s effectiveness, Roughead’s ability to lead the competition in one percenters is telling. Despite being new to the position, the 22-year-old had more spoils, smothers, shepherds and knock-ons than any other player. He also built a reputation as a strong contested mark in the last line of defence.

What they said:

“He [Roughead] is now starting to get that inner belief that he can match it with anyone in the league and we are now seeing him buy into that and be a real ruthless defender… With Roughy having such along reach and being really athletic and having quite good closing speed, he is really starting to get his timing right in the contest and just get that timely fist in.”

- Development Coach Ashley Hansen

Pre-season focus:

A continuation in developing his defensive craft with Assistant Coach Rohan Smith and Specialist Coach Matthew Scarlett this pre-season will allow the big man to be even more damaging in the back six in 2014. In the latter stages of the year, Roughead also played a swingman role, so he is also likely to spend some time working on his forward craft over summer to become an even more damaging and adaptable player.

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Roughie's Review: Tippett talk, stopping the sharp shooter