DESPITE kicking three goals on debut, Jarryd Roughead says ruckman Luke Lowden would “understand” if he was squeezed out of Hawthorn's team to play Carlton on Friday night.
After waiting more than five years, Lowden arrived with a bang in the Hawks' 44-point win over West Coast in Launceston.
The 23-year-old competed strongly in the ruck against Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox, winning 15 hit-outs and gathering 12 touches, and slotted three memorable goals.
But with first-choice ruck combination David Hale and Ben McEvoy pushing to return from injury, Lowden and Jonathan Ceglar (24 hit-outs, nine possessions) could find themselves back at Box Hill.
Roughead said Lowden would be stiff to lose his place after a sensational debut.
"You'd think so, but I think he understands that as well," the forward said on Monday.
"With 'Haley' and McEvoy in front of him, he knows it's a tough ask to try and break in each week.
"But that's why he's been playing consistent footy at Box Hill the last few years and got his crack on the weekend.
"That just shows the depth that we've got - that a bloke like that can step up and not only contribute but contribute well. To kick three goals, it's a very good effort on debut.
"So hopefully he can stay in, but we'll wait and see what the coaches think."
Lowden and Ceglar might not be the only Hawks under pressure to keep their spots.
Key defenders Brian Lake (calf) and Ben Stratton (adductor) are expected to come under consideration, with Matt Spangher and Angus Litherland potentially facing the axe.
However, Roughead hinted the Hawks were unlikely to bring back four players from injury against the Blues.
"Over the next few weeks we'll be able to get a few back, not all of them will come back in one week, but getting a few back in a few weeks will be good for the side," he said.
Although Roughead was back to his imposing best with an equal career-best eight goal haul against the Eagles, last year's Coleman medallist admitted he has lacked consistency this season.
Roughead has booted 30 goals, but has kicked two goals or less five times.
"We're 8-3 and I feel like I've been contributing pretty well within the side, but in saying that there's a lot of the season to go and you'd like to hopefully play some consistent footy through the rest of the back half of the year," he said.
The Hawks face the Blues at the MCG on Friday night, with Carlton (4-7) needing an upset to turnaround its fading finals hopes.
