Jarryd Roughead’s all-clear has former Hawthorn teammates grinning from ear-to-ear

BEN Dixon was driving along Glenferrie Rd last month when he spotted something that instantly brought a smile to his face.

Jarryd Roughead back at Hawthorn pre-season training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

BEN Dixon was driving along Glenferrie Rd last month when he spotted something that instantly brought a smile to his face — his former Hawthorn teammate Jarryd Roughead emerging from a car decked out in his training gear.

He quickly wound the car window down and yelled out: “You’re back mate ...” Roughead’s reply to Dixon came in the form of a fist pump.

At that stage Roughead hadn’t been cleared of the melanoma that threatened his life. That didn’t officially come until last Tuesday, but Dixon knew when he saw him that day the most important thing was that Roughead was feeling good again following the energy-sapping side effects of the immunotherapy drugs that have now saved Roughead’s life.

JON RALPH: ROUGHY ALL-CLEAR THE GOOD NEWS FOOTY NEEDED

HAWKS STAR: I’M CANCER FREE: ROUGHY’S GOOD NEWS

“He looked like he had been exercising and he looked just like the old ‘Rough’ again,” Dixon said. “It was great to see him look so healthy again and the colour had come back to his face.

“I had seen him in Sydney after he started his treatment earlier this year, and he was just so wiped out by the side affects. So to see him looking so good, and to get the news now that he is cancer-free is just the best possible outcome.”

Roughead endured serious side affects from the treatment that included a loss of colour and weight, vomiting and draining him of all energy, leaving him bedridden at times, but through it all, his teammates and friends who rallied around him insisted they never heard him complain of his situation or aim to take shortcuts.

Jarryd Roughead and Ben Dixon in a scuffle with Jared Rivers in 2005.

His 2008 premiership teammate Campbell Brown said Roughead had remained positive throughout the ordeal, insistent that he was not only going to beat the insidious disease, but that he was going to play AFL football again.

Now that he is free from cancer, Brown knows he will not only be back on the field next year, but will also be a massive asset as the Hawks chase yet more success.

“I am sure he would have had his down days, but he never complained and just got on with the business of doing what he had to to get better,” Brown said.

“It’s great news, and it gives the people in the wider community who are fighting cancer some real hope, they can draw inspiration from him.

Jarryd Roughead and Campbell Brown in 2007.

“The fact that he has his health back is the most important thing, but he has always had that goal of playing football again. And if he can get back to even close the level he was at beforehand, it puts Hawthorn right back into the game, too.”

Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox said the news of Roughead’s recovery gave “our entire club, including all staff and players, a massive lift”.

“Jarryd is much loved by everyone here at Hawthorn and we couldn’t be happier for him, his wife Sarah and their family to be able to recommence normal life.

“We have said all along that Jarryd’s health is our number one priority and we are so pleased he is able to get back to doing what he loves most.”