AFL: Roughead prepares for Lewis; Daisy demands call-up

AS debate continues to rage over Hawthorn’s decision to part ways with two legends, embattled skipper Jarryd Roughead opens up.

Hawthorn captain Jarryd Roughead.

HAWTHORN captain Jarryd Roughead says lining up against his great mate and former Hawk Jordan Lewis will be a strange feeling.

Lewis was traded away to the Melbourne Demons in the off-season, ending his association with Hawthorn, a club where he played 264 games.

Lewis was a four-time premiership player in the brown and gold and Roughead says seeing his friend line up for the opposition will take some getting used to.

“We’ve played together since 2004, which was 13 years ago. It’s been different since the moment he left, so playing against him will be really weird,” Roughead told Gold 104.3FM’s Jo and Lehmo.

Jordan Roughead and Jordan Lewis following the 2015 AFL Grand Final.

While Roughead confessed that he remains in regular contact with Lewis, given their close friendship, the two haven’t given each other an inside running on their side.

The Hawks skipper said their time together is not spent talking about football tactics at all.

“We normally get in our tights and walk the Tan together,” Roughead said.

When prompted what exactly they do talk about, Roughead said current news topics are generally on the agenda. “That’s it. Who’s going to take over all the (Prince Phillip’s) duties? — I’ve got no idea,” he joked.

Roughead and his Hawks will be looking to get their season back on track against the Demons on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

As skipper, Roughead is forced to carry much of the load for the club, but says the role in turning the Hawks’ fortunes around on field must be a shared one.

“We’re all in it together; we can’t just become individuals and think we can do it ourselves. As a collective we have to improve and get better,” Roughead said.

“The issue is just consistency. Two weeks ago against West Coast we were very good and then we let ourselves down with a poor performance down in Tasmania at the weekend.”

Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis out for a stroll.

Roughead did reveal that he’s been spending a lot more time with Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, as the pair work hard to address the side’s downward spiral.

“Since becoming captain, he’s now in my favourites in my phone,” Roughead explained. “He actually mentioned that to me, ‘have you put me in your favourites yet?’, I said ‘oh yeah, in straight away’.”

BLUES STAR DEMANDS PLACE

Carlton winger Dale Thomas.

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton is delighted veteran Dale Thomas demanded a spot in the side to play Collingwood with a commanding performance at VFL level.

Thomas struggled over the first month of the season before missing the Blues’ 90-point mauling by Port Adelaide with general soreness.

The 29-year-old was ready to resume last week, but is no longer an automatic senior selection.

With question marks over his future, Thomas responded with a best afield performance for the Northern Blues.

“Dale played a really good game at VFL level and comes in in-form ... we just want to make sure that he plays with the freedom that he played with in the VFL,” Bolton told reporters on Friday.

The coach couldn’t fault Thomas’ response to his axing. “He’s an absolute professional, I can’t question him actually,” he said. “If you were sitting in any of our meetings over the last fortnight, in spite of some inconsistencies in his game, he kept investing in our young guys and contributing. He’s been fantastic around our footy club and applied himself the right way.”

Thomas played 157 games, including the 2010 premiership decider, in eight seasons with the Pies before his high-profile free agency switch to Carlton. “That’s not a consideration in selection,” Bolton said of Thomas’ return.

“The integrity around our match committee is based on form, but I’m sure he’d be determined to play well against his old team.”

Former Adelaide forward Sam Kerridge was also included with youngsters Jack Silvagni (shoulder) and Zac Fisher (hamstring) making way. Bolton is hopeful the pair will only miss one game.

Young gun Jacob Weitering overcame a thigh issue to take his place. The former No.1 draft pick struggled with a corked thigh in the Blues’ win over Sydney, finishing the game with his leg heavily strapped, but Bolton declared him a certain starter.

Originally published as AFL: Roughead prepares for Lewis; Daisy demands call-up