LESS than 12 months after attempting to lure him as a player, Gold Coast is targeting Jarryd Roughead for an off-field role in 2020.

AFL.com.au understands the Suns will pursue the four-time Hawthorn premiership forward to boost a number of areas across their football department.

Chased by Suns coach and Hawks premiership teammate Stuart Dew to play in 2019 before deciding to stay at Waverley Park, Roughead is now weighing up life after football.

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The Suns are set to explore a variety of roles for Roughead, including recruiting, development and leadership mentoring to draw on his 15-year career that will end this season.

Roughead remains no guarantee to play again for Hawthorn after Alastair Clarkson admitted his side was at an "exploration stage" after Friday night's loss to Essendon saw them fall to 5-7.

Dropped after the round seven loss to Melbourne and sent to the VFL where he has played the past four matches, Roughead is out of contract at season's end.

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Roughead also holds strong links with Gold Coast chief executive and former Hawks football boss Mark Evans which the Suns hope will work in their favour as other clubs line up for his services.

Any role for Roughead at the Suns would appear similar to other off-field position held by former players across the competition.

Collingwood premiership captain Nick Maxwell works in leadership and culture at the Pies, while former Geelong defender Andrew Mackie splits his time over recruiting and development at the Cats.

All Suns assistants are contracted until at least the end of 2020, with any role for Roughead set to fall outside the coaches' box on match day.

Roughead's experience would be invaluable for young developing talls Jack Lukosius and Ben King with that pair working closely with former St Kilda forward Justin Koschitzke this year.

Dew spoke last month about the attempts to secure Roughead to play this season and his quality as an individual.

"I won't lie, I made a few phone calls," Dew told SEN.

"Just to enquire about what is his plans. He was clear on what this year looked like for him, but I think he was keen to stay the course and be part of that immediate handover.

"I know they've done it with other players who have left, and there's been a swift handover.

"But I think Roughy, even looking at the vision of him on the weekend (against Footscray), he's as unselfish as you get, and I think that's why he's able to be in the environment still and do the handover.

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"He was really keen to stay on at that footy club and it'll work out fine for him. I mean, look at his career. He's unbelievable. Not only just his footy career, but his life journey. I'm biased, but I'm not alone in those thoughts."

Roughead has booted 571 goals from 281 matches in his career to date at the Hawks.