HEATH Grundy's masterful job on Jarryd Roughead in the 2012 Grand Final proved a major factor in the Sydney Swans upsetting Hawthorn and claiming that year's premiership.
But considering just how far the Hawthorn spearhead has come since then, it's going to take a team effort if the Swans are to keep Roughead quiet a second time around.
Two years ago, Roughead was a quality player, but he was still taking a back seat to Lance Franklin in the Hawks' forward line.
Kicking a solid 41 goals in 2012, Roughead was a peripheral figure in the Grand Final, held to just three marks and three behinds.
Yet over the past two years, Roughead has emerged as a fully-fledged star.
Last season he kicked 72 goals to win his first Coleman Medal, finally snapping Franklin's six-year reign as Hawthorn's leading goalkicker and earning a first All Australian jumper in the process.
He has backed that up with another 70 goals so far in 2014, a second All Australian nod and a recognised status as one of the most difficult match-ups in the competition.
"He (Roughead) has got everything," Grundy explained to AFL.com.au.
"He can take a pack mark, he's a great shot on goal, he's a great kick and he's shown this year he's as good on the ground as anyone.
"He's one of those tough players that can do everything and tends to make the most of his opportunities."
Of course two years ago at the MCG, the Swans also had Franklin to contend with.
Buddy was the dominant forward on the ground that day, finishing with 3.4 in his duel with Ted Richards, and could have proven the match-winner if not for some wayward shots on goal.
Grundy had enormous respect for the Hawks' attacking options back then, but believes they could be even more dangerous now.
"They had probably the best forward line in the comp at that stage," he said.
"This year they've shown they can score without Buddy and they've got a number of different avenues down forward and ways to kick goals.
"It's always a challenge no matter who's down there, but 'Roughy' has obviously been in great form.
"He kicked a bag on the weekend (against Port Adelaide) and I'm sure he'll be ready to go this week."
Franklin was best on ground in the Swans' big win over North Melbourne in last week's preliminary final, booting five goals, while Roughead went one better against Port Adelaide the following day.
Buddy himself also knows how difficult Roughead will be to contain, but is backing the Swans' defenders.
"The 'big Rough' is a quality player," Franklin said.
"To kick six goals in a prelim is an unbelievable effort and he's going to be hard to stop on Saturday.
"But I think our back six has been very good this season and they're going to have to work as a team to get the job done."
There have been some new additions to the Swans' backline in recent times, with Dane Rampe establishing himself over the past two years. More recently, Gary Rohan has also been used in a new defensive role.
But it has continued to operate at its customary high level, boasting the AFL's best defensive record once again in 2014.
"I think we've had another good year and been pretty solid down there," Grundy said.
"Our smalls, Dane Rampe and Nick Smith, have been fantastic.
"Gaz (Rohan) on the weekend (against North), his ability to run and break the lines was fantastic.
"They've got a terrific forward line have Hawthorn, and we'll have our work cut out all game, but we're confident we can go out and play well."
