Roughead replaces Hodge as Hawks captain

Jarryd Roughead wasn't expecting to start this AFL season because of his cancer diagnosis.

Now Roughead will captain Hawthorn in a likely round-one comeback.

Roughead has replaced Luke Hodge as the club's skipper, with Liam Shiels and Isaac Smith installed as vice-captains.

The four-time premiership winner had a melanoma removed from his lip in 2015 then suffered a recurrence in 2016, a setback that had serious implications for his life, let alone playing career.

But the 29-year-old found out last month he was cancer-free, paving the way for a return in 2017.

Coach Alastair Clarkson delivered more good news at Waverley Park on Friday morning.

"I thought I was still going to be missing six months of footy with treatment," Roughead said in his first press conference as captain.

"So to get the news we got in December then be sitting here today, it's been a pretty cool few months.

"From being given the all clear in December, I've just kind of wanted to be treated normal and part of the playing group.

"As someone coming back from an injury. In my case it's a little bit different, but I don't see why I have to be treated any different."

Roughead, who hasn't played a game at any level since the 2015 grand final, was upbeat he would be fit to face Essendon in the Hawks' season opener on March 25.

"I'd like to run around in the pre-season comp ... if I can get up for a couple of those games that'd be good," he said.

The no-nonsense key forward's health scare has given him fresh perspective about the sport.

"I thought footy was everything up until what happened," Roughead said.

"Now I've gone through what I have, I understand footy is only going to be 15-16 years in my life in terms of playing.

"I want to live to potentially be a dad or grandad."

Dual Norm Smith medallist Hodge, who captained Hawthorn to three flags, declared Roughead was ready to step up.

"I've had the opportunity to see him grow and develop as a leader and there is no better person to lead our club in 2017," Hodge said.

Roughead said he had learned a lot from predecessors Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Richie Vandenberg.

"I've had three pretty good captains to look at in the past 13 years.

"It's an enormous responsibility but I'm ready for the challenge," the 2013 Coleman medallist said.

"I'm not going to be one of those three boys, I'm going to be me. It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

"I don't think I need to change much, what you see is what you get with me."

Roughead has played 231 games for the Hawks since making his debut in round three of 2005, having been taken with pick No.2 in the 2004 national draft.