Jordan Roughead said that missing the Club’s return to finals footy last season left him frustrated and keen to make amends, starting with first NAB Challenge match on Thursday night against the Giants.
Roughead missed a number of games throughout the season due to back spasms, a foot injury, and was ruled out of the elimination final after tearing a tendon off his finger against North Melbourne in round 22.
“It was obviously really disappointing to miss out on finals footy,” Roughead told reporters at Melbourne Airport.
“I’ve been in the system a while now and haven’t been able to get out there in September so it’s been hugely frustrating.
“But it’s probably given me a bit more drive through the pre-season to make sure the body is going to be right if we do make it to September, to get out there and make an impact if I can.”
Just where the versatile 25-year-old plays his football this season has been hotly debated, but Roughead himself said he’ll play wherever Luke Beveridge wants him to play.
“I just love playing footy and like I said before, it’s an answer that probably frustrates a lot of people but I love playing footy for the Bulldogs and wherever the coaches see me playing I’m happy to get out there and play my role,” he said.
According to Champion Data, as the 2015 season progressed, Roughead gradually spent more time in the middle.
Between rounds 1-7, he spent 86% of his time in defence, before spending 50% of game time in the ruck between rounds 8-23. The athletic big man is expected to play in all areas of the ground this season but it’s no secret where he’d prefer to play.
“I’d love to get into the middle, you can have more impact on the game, he said.
“When you’re involved down back sometimes the ball doesn’t come down there too much and you can have a pretty quiet quarter or half.
“When you’re playing in the ruck you’re around the footy and you can influence the game a lot more and help your team out purely by being a bit more of a presence on the ground.
“Hopefully I can step into that role this year, there’s a lot more competition, it’s going to be hard work but I think we’re all up for the opportunity and starting tomorrow night we’re going to try and take it.”
