Jarryd Roughead's stated ambition to play AFL football again remains a genuine possibility with Hawthorn confirming the four-time premiership star will remain on the club's primary list for 2017.

Contracted until the end of 2018 and placed on the Hawks' long-term injury list in early July, club chief Stuart Fox confirmed that Hawthorn would not seek salary cap relief for the 29-year-old as he continues to focus on his health.

While both club and player have stressed that football remained secondary to his recovery, the shared view is that Roughead's ongoing presence at the club has been beneficial for both Roughead and the Hawks.

Earlier this year the club had made inquiries with the AFL regarding potential forms of salary cap relief for the two-time All-Australian, but Fox said that was no longer a consideration and the Hawks never officially sought a response from the league.