Roughy: The Autobiography

by Jarryd Roughead, Peter Hanlon (with)

Roughy is a story of perspective from a Hawthorn legend – much more than a footballer’s tale.

A country boy who grew up watching his old man play local footy in Leongatha, Jarryd Roughead’s talent and dedication turned him into an AFL star. Lining up alongside some of the greatest to ever play the game, he was a key player in a Hawthorn team that will live on as one of the best of any era.
In 2015, when a melanoma was found on his bottom lip, it seemed like only a small setback. The spot was removed and, soon after, Jarryd was back on the ground, helping the Hawks secure their famous three-peat – his fourth premiership. He was newly married, planning a family, and life seemed carefree. Then, during a routine check-up in 2016, a scan showed the melanoma had moved into his lungs. He had cancer.
Jarryd was one of the first to receive an immunotherapy treatment that is now saving lives around the world – and ultimately saved his. But the side effects were brutal. Endless days and nights of agony, including nerve damage to his feet that threatened any possible return to footy.
What saw Jarryd through was the same resilience, drive and positivity that had turned him into an elite footballer in the first place. Not only did he return to play AFL, he was named captain of Hawthorn. A one-club man, Roughy retired as a legend and an inspiration.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Sports

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2020

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up watching Roughy play for the Hawks and he will always be one of my favourite players of all time. This one was an easy read and I flew through it in a good way; it was interesting to hear everything in Roughy's words, especially winning his 4 premierships in one of the greatest teams to ever play in the AFL. I also liked the separate chapters of some people that are important and close to him in his life, that was a nice touch. He is a resilient and inspiring person who overcame cancer in the back end of his football career but still despite everything, he got to play again for his club which is truly amazing. I really liked the chapter touching on his relationships with Indigenous players in the AFL and at Hawthorn and how important their history is in Australia. I will always have many fond memories of Rough, he's a Hawks great and I'm so lucky I got to witness him play and get so much success.

[Jacob Langham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and uplifting story from a genuine bloke. Roughy came from humble beginnings and continued to embrace them his entire career. I loved the aspect discussing Indigenous Australia and his initial views versus when he became immersed through teammates. Great player, better human.

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must have been living in a bubble as I didn't realise Jarryd Roughead had cancer. This is such an inspirational story by a very talented footballer. We see these amazing players on the field each week, but it's not until you read their autobiography that you realise how hard they have to work to get there. Then throw in cancer and that just shows how amazing this bloke is to have come back from that. 5/5 Star Rating.

[Ainslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a die-hard Hawks supporter for over 50 years, who remembers the first time I saw Jarryd Roughead play in 2005, I was always going to enjoy this book. As we hear in his own words about his childhood, family, AFL career and beyond, we get an insight into Roughead as a person, from his own perspective and also from some key people in his life who wrote chapters for the book.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight to the career of one of my favourite, and possibly most underrated, football players. Goes into great detail on his history both as a sportsperson and through his battles with cancer.
Happy to see he's cancer-free and forging his own path ahead now.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to have a reminder of an awesome player, who played in such a successful team, with the personal insight about his life and his many football friendships.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never read a sports biography, and probably wouldn't have were it not for receiving this as an Xmas present. I imagine most of this was written by Peter Hanlon using Roughead's answers to interview questions. Towards the start especially it read a little bit like when you had to do a "recount" of your weekend or whatever in primary school. I suppose that's inescapable given a lot of it was literally recounting his childhood. There were some amusing parts though - I especially liked how a football club he played for back in Gippsland didn't have a fence around their footy ground but erected a gate before each game and fined anyone who entered or exited the ground without going through the gate, or how meticulous he is (brushing the fibres on a suede couch so they all face the same way) - lots of little things that added personality and reminded you that footballers are more than just the generic "yeah the boys put in a lot of effort and we're happy to walk away with the 4 points" answer to interview questions you hear after games.

Highlights were the chapter written by Jordan Lewis (which had a lot about Roughy's idiosyncrasies), and the chapter about Chance, Amos and the Aboriginal players at Hawthorn and his growth as a person from being exposed to that.

[Patrick Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a die-hard Hawk but you don’t even have to be a footy fan to dig this read.

Roughy covers everything in this easy read (you can hear his laconic voice going through the book). Good times and bad - and he doesn’t shy away from the bad (cancer scare). Its also interesting to read Angry Rough as he discusses his relationship with his coach and club toward the end of his career.

He has chapters written by his nurse, his oncologist and, importantly, his best mate and his wife, which breaks up the book by giving another perspective about the subject.

Anyway, it was a great read, and made me appreciate the great man even more than I did before (and I appreciated him a lot before!). Thanks for everything, Rough!

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting story - not just for Hawthorn/AFL fans - which maintained good momentum throughout. It was told in a straight-forward way, depicting the ups and downs of life as an elite sportsman, and told with authenticity, insight and awareness of others as well, including a growing awareness of Indigenous story in this country. There is plenty of insight into AFL clubs, strategies, pitfalls and success.

Jarryd's overcoming cancer is nothing short of miraculous, showing the amazing iron-will and iron-man spirit of Jarryd himself, but also down to his amazing medical team and family. Hawthorn Football Club was also his world away from cancer, and a world that he cherished.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favourite footballers and a great bloke. Bought this on the day it was released and finished it the day after. And woo hoo, I’m the first review!
An easy read, as though he’s sitting in front of you telling his story. Interesting to hear from his wife, bestie, brother, oncologist, and nurse in separate chapters.
Unlike some famous people’s autobiographies, I feel like I did actually get more insight into who Roughy is as a person, and his life. Some people seem like they don’t want to give anything away.

Love you Roughy. Thanks for all the memories.

[Philip Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have reasons to justify my enjoyment of this one. Four decades a Hawthorn member. A fan of the game, this team and Jarryd Roughead, the player. Reasons enough to add this book on a shelf alongside similar light reading. In this case, two unique reasons to recommend it. First, and most obvious, “the footballer who had cancer”. But secondly, towards the end of the book a wonderfully insightful chapter on his maturing appreciation of Indigenous Australians and his need for un-learning some myths.

[Jenny McAteer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Roughy

As a hawthorn supporter of course I love Roughy. This was a great book, really well written and so honest and gave a lot of insight into the highs and lows of footy life. I like how some chapters were from someone else's perspective. Thanks for being a brilliant Hawk Roughy.
My niece was born a Richmond supporter and changed to Hawthorn when she was 5, purely because of Roughy. She was lucky enough to meet him and he was just everything she knew he was, caring, courteous and sweet. I will never forget how happy she was to meet her hero.

[Paul Large · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved watching Roughy play and am a lifelong Hawthorn supporter. The details around his cancer and the challenges that went with that were an interesting insight. But you were left feeling there was still some insight to his career that could have been given with better detail without compromising others. This was especially the case around his experience of Buddy and Jordan Lewis leaving the club. Anyway, was a good read and enjoyable to re-live the highs of his career and gain some understanding of the challenges faced.

[Mick Maye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good account of a country kid getting to play in the AFL. The journey from his early love of basketball and the ups and downs of being a professional sportsman was fascinating. The discovery of cancer, it’s apparent disappearance and then return and the way he honestly addressed it in this book makes it a standout.

[Phillip Pettinella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The man, the myth and the absolute legend Roughead. A true Hawthorn legend that deserves every good thing that comes his way. It so heartbreaking reading his story about how he dealt with cancer but his perspective on life was refreshing. Wouldn’t say this book is for everyone but if you like AFL you’d love this book.

[Annie Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique insight to the journey, recovery and life of one of the games and Hawthorns greatest players.

[Peter Jolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!!

[Mark Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of survival and an AFL Career. Gained some insights into both.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest and insightful to see behind the scenes of the club you love. Not necessarily the person you though he was.

[Jennie O'bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As expected re the “footy and the boys”. The cancer and his reaction to fighting it was admirable and added depth.