Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Jarryd Roughead’s much-anticipated AFL comeback is all about the next 60 years of his life, not the next six months.

Roughead has overcome cancer and Saturday night’s round-one clash with Essendon will be his first regular-season game since the 2015 grand final.

“Strangely enough – it seems silly leading into round one – but it’s not really about football for Roughy, it’s simply about a celebration of him having his health back,” Clarkson said.