Jarryd Roughead will step down from the role of Hawthorn captain in season 2019.

Roughead, who took the reins from predecessor Luke Hodge at the start of the 2017 season, said he felt the time was right for a new leader to take on the role.

“It’s been an honour and privilege to captain the club for the past two years, but I feel it’s in the best interests of myself and the club to hand over the reins,” Roughead said.

“Being captain is a big responsibility and I think the best thing for the team right now is that I focus on my own game and getting the best out of myself on the field.

“Of course, I’ll still be around to support whoever fills the role next, but I think the club is ready for a new player to lead.

“This is one of the youngest groups I’ve been a part of in my time at the Hawks and I think it’s vital that we allow a new wave of leaders to emerge, particularly while some of us more mature heads are still around to guide them.

“We have so many young guys who have stepped up in a leadership capacity over the past couple of seasons and I have no doubt that the future is in great hands.”

GM – Football Graham Wright thanked Roughead for his leadership over the past two seasons and praised his selfless decision to step down from the captaincy role.

“Roughy has been a strong leader of our club for a number of years now,” Wright said.

“He took on the role of captain at a time when he had a lot of things going on in his life and yet, as is the way with Rough, he put the club and its needs first.

“He has done a great job of guiding our emerging group over the past couple of seasons and we are grateful for the leadership and commitment he has shown.

“When Rough let us know of his intentions to step down from the role and focus on his footy, he had our complete support.

“We know that he will continue to lead by example amongst the group and we are equally confident that a new leader will step up and fill the void left by his departure.

“With Rough stepping down, we will take the opportunity to evaluate our leadership model and decide upon the best process for appointing the new captain.

“We will spend the pre-season exploring this and at the conclusion of the process we will appoint the next captain of our club.”

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