HAWTHORN star Jarryd Roughead has joined his teammates in the rooms ahead of Friday night's clash with the Sydney Swans days after revealing his melanoma had returned.

The four-time premiership player was on hand at the MCG as his teammates prepared to take on the Swans in a crucial clash for the top-four hopefuls.

WATCH: Hawks and Swans fans honour Roughead at the MCG on Friday night

The 29-year-old this week was ruled out of football indefinitely after the melanoma was detected in a regular check-up.

Hawks president Richard Garvey told the club's pre-match function that Roughead had "felt the love" from the football community this week.

Follow it live: Hawks v Swans

"The news of Jarryd's recurrence in melanoma has shocked and saddened us all. A positive is that it's been picked up early and we were reassured because Jarryd is in the best possible hands," Garvey said.

"As a club we are united in our support of 'Roughy' and our focus is firmly on wrapping our arms around him and his family. The events of this week serve as a reminder that football is not the be-all and end-all and that we should never take our health for granted.

"The week has also reaffirmed that football is not about wins and losses, but about the people with whom you share the journey. The AFL community is a community like no other and the love and support that has been shown to Jarryd this week has been overwhelming.

"We thank everyone for their well wishes and I know that Jarryd has certainly felt the love this week."

Hawks fans show their support to one of their favourite sons. Picture: AFL Media

Coach Alastair Clarkson said on Thursday that Roughead's teammates had struggled with the news their popular forward had to again deal with the illness after having a melanoma cut from his lip last year.



"They've been shocked just like the rest of the footy world – particularly because he's a close mate and teammate, and the reality is he's not going to be running out with them for the rest of this season which is probably pretty disappointing for them," Clarkson said.

"The hard part about all this is you half-feel guilty for trying to move on in life – everyone wants to stop and take a breath and feel empathy for Jarryd, but for him and Sarah we need to forge ahead and that means playing a game against Sydney tomorrow night."

Roughead hasn't played this season after suffering a knee injury in the pre-season that required surgery.