Hawthorn star Jarryd Roughead says he is hoping to return to competitive football as early as next month's JLT Community Series.
Last month the four time premiership player was given the all clear from the melanoma that ruled him out of footy for the entire 2016 season and he is chomping at the bit to join his teammates during the pre-season competition.
“I missed all of last year and been lucky enough that we’re all good to go this year. Hopefully in the coming weeks we can maybe suit up for (the JLT Community Series) then wait and see for the footy season,” Roughead told the club’s website.
“You want to be back playing and amongst the boys, which is what we’re all here for. So if I can do that, we’ll be very happy and I reckon everyone else will be too.”
Roughead said he is excited to see the club's new recruits in action.
“The more that those boys are training with us and getting used to the way Hawthorn play, it’s going to be a lot easier when games come around soon,” he said.
“To have so many new faces and the energy that they bring amongst the group is probably the thing that you like to see. They’re the ones that are driving training and making it lots of fun, whereas us older boys are up the back and just trying to get through each week.”
Hawthorn's first pre-season game is on February 26 at Arden Street against North Melbourne.