JARRYD Roughead’s on-field importance has been further emphasised, with Hawthorn’s favourite son named by Champion Data as the game’s premier key forward going into 2017.

Roughead unfortunately missed the entirety of last season after embarking on immunotherapy treatment due to a recurrence of melanoma in May.

But in relieving news that brought a smile to everyone’s face back in December, Roughead announced he has had a “complete response” to treatment and is now “cancer free”.

Although he returned to training that week, a timeline for his comeback has understandably not yet been set.

Round 18

Prior to his year out of the game, the 29-year-old had enjoyed three consecutive seasons with a return of 50 goals or more, while also averaging a career-high 19.3 disposals per match in 2015.

He subsequently edges out former teammate Lance Franklin as the game’s best key forward in Champion Data’s rankings, according to its Official AFL Player Ratings.

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Lance Franklin came in second in the rankings. Picture: David Caird. Source: News Corp Australia

The pair held off the reigning Coleman Medal winner Josh Kennedy, who finished third despite a campaign where the West Coast forward bagged 80 goals across the home and away season.

Geelong’s Tom Hawkins and new Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch round out the top five.

Roughead’s Hawthorn teammate Jack Gunston remains in the top 10 following another consistent season — his third successive year with 50 or more goals.

Greater Western Sydney youngster Rory Lobb also enters the top 10 after a breakout season that yielded a return of 29 goals from 24 games, while Port Adelaide’s Justin Westhoff also retains his place among the game’s best key position forwards.

Sydney’s Kurt Tippett and West Coast’s Jack Darling fell out of the top 10 from last year.

The rankings are Champion Data’s measure of player quality for the 2017 AFL Prospectus, based on the Official AFL Player Ratings.

They are recognised as the best indication of a player’s performance, emphasising the quality of games played over the quantity.

CHAMPION DATA’S TOP 10 KEY FORWARDS

1. Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)

Still the game’s best key forward, despite a year out of the game.

2. Lance Franklin (Sydney)

Kicked 81 goals across the course of last season.

3. Josh Kennedy (West Coast)

Secured his second straight Coleman Medal in 2016.

4. Tom Hawkins (Geelong)

Kicked 55 goals last year in a season where he only showed glimpses of his best.

5. Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)

Enjoyed another superb year for the Suns and was later named the club’s new co-captain.

6. Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide)

The versatile forward makes the top 10 despite only 23 goals from 22 games in 2016.

7. Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)

Had his third straight season with a return of 50 goals or more last year.

8. Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)

Battled hard in 2016 to finish with 48 goals for the year.

9. Taylor Walker (Adelaide)

He leads the way for one of the game’s most dangerous forward lines.

10. Rory Lobb (GWS Giants)

Enjoyed a breakout season in 2016 to finish the year with 29 goals.