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Hawks reeling from Roughead news

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says the club is still reeling from the news of Jarryd Roughead’s melanoma recurrence.

Popular forward Roughead is to be sidelined for an indefinite period of time to battle what team-mate Jordan Lewis described as an “extremely serious” skin cancer.

Clarkson said the club was determined to support Roughead the best way it knew how – with success on the field.

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“We’re all pretty shattered with what’s gone on in the past three or four days. [The players] have been shocked, like the footy world has been,” Clarkson said.

“The best way we can support Roughy is for everything to try to return to normal.

“He came in and spoke to our players and he wants everything to return to normal as quickly as possible.

“He’s more than likely to come to the game tomorrow night, just to indicate that normality that he wants to return to.

“He’s been an important part of the last two or three days in the way that our players have been able to address this issue. We’re really fortunate that he’s taken that sort of approach.”

Clarkson also declared Cyril Rioli, who missed last week’s win over Fremantle to attend to a family matter in the Northern Territory, a certain starter against the Swans.

“He’s back from the Northern Territory, so he’ll be selected to play,” Clarkson said.

“Cyril is right to go and we’re looking forward to having the little fella back.”

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