HAWTHORN forward Jarryd Roughead says he and his teammates have rallied around draftee Dayle Garlett, who has admitted to struggling with the demands of elite football.


The decision was made after the youngster spoke about his issues to coach Alastair Clarkson and football operations manager Chris Fagan.

"It shows how good a kid he is, the way the way that he's been able to talk to not only 'Clarko' and 'Fages' but some of the boys as well," Roughead said at Hawthorn's family day at Glenferrie Oval on Sunday.

"He's been able to open up and say that he's struggling a little bit.

"But he's come to a great place in Hawthorn and we'll get around him, for sure."

Garlett is renowned as being a prodigious talent, and the Hawks took a punt on him after he enjoyed a stellar 2013 season in the WAFL.

He relocated to Melbourne late last year.

"To come across and move from Perth to Melbourne - it's a pretty big move," Roughead acknowledged.

"So all of us are getting round him and helping him as best as we can. I dare say that will happen for the next few months."

The Hawks have few other dramas at present.

Last time they went into a season as the reigning premiers they missed the finals.

But having recorded impressive NAB Challenge wins over the Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne, there are few signs of a premiership hangover at this stage.

"We've just been going about our business quietly," Roughead said. "It's a lot different when you've got everyone fit and on the track, compared to 2009 when we had 19 blokes get surgery.

"To have everyone out there and gelling as one, that's what you want going into the season."

Hawthorn rounds out its pre-season campaign with a practice match against Melbourne at Casey Fields next Saturday.

Ryan Schoenmakers, who is one the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction, won't be fit enough to line up against the Demons.

But Roughead says the key position player should return "in the next couple of weeks".

"He looks like a Greek Adonis at the moment, the he's just running around and moving," Roughead added. "So it's pretty good signs going into the start of the season."