A COLEMAN Medal would be fitting reward for Jarryd Roughead's outstanding season, but it won't be Hawthorn's focus in Friday night's clash with the Sydney Swans, midfielder Sam Mitchell says.
Roughead booted four goals against North Melbourne on Saturday to take his season tally to 64, three goals ahead of Collingwood's Travis Cloke, and four clear of West Coast's Josh Kennedy and Greater Western Sydney youngster Jeremy Cameron with just one game remaining.
Despite a consistently high level of performance throughout his nine seasons at the top level, Roughead has not yet won a major individual award.
In the same timeframe, he has seen long-time forward line partner Lance Franklin scoop four All Australian selections, two Coleman Medals and a club best and fairest.
Mitchell said he would be pleased if Roughead finally got his turn.
"I think everyone in the game would love 'Roughy' to win a Coleman Medal – he has spent a fair bit of time in behind 'Bud'," Mitchell said.
"As players, you don't think too much about individual awards, but as a mate of mine, I'd love to go over to his place and see a Coleman Medal hanging there.
"When it comes to Friday night, it will be the last thing on any of our minds, but if it happens, we'll certainly take it."
Having beaten the Kangaroos, the Hawks are now assured of a top two spot on the ladder and a qualifying final in Melbourne.
But Mitchell ruled out resting players this week against the Swans, saying his team would be bringing its "A-game" in a bid to secure the minor premiership.
"Top two was really important for us – we wanted to make sure we finished with a home final," he said.
"Now we go up to Sydney with top position on the line, and making sure that we good footy to give us confidence going into the finals."
Although its list is largely fit and healthy, Hawthorn did suffer a setback on the weekend, with Liam Shiels re-injuring his ankle in his first game back in the senior line-up since round 14.
The club is yet to reveal the seriousness of the injury.
"Hopefully it's not as bad – he said to me after the game that it wasn't as bad as last time," Mitchell said.
"But I guess when you re-injure something it's not a great sign, so you've got to feel for him.
"Having said that, he might be back this week."
