Unfortunately for Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordan Roughead, the build-up to the most important day in his football career has had its roadblocks.

The 25-year-old was struck in the face with a clearing kick during last Saturday’s preliminary final win over GWS Giants and spent most of the week not knowing if he would keep his place in the team for the clash with the Sydney Swans.

Roughead suffered bleeding to the eye, and to aid his recovery, he endured hours and hours cooped up in a dark room in the days following the accident.

But after getting the all-clear from his specialist on Friday morning, Roughead can finally re-calibrate his focus to the job at hand – winning the club’s first flag since 1954.

The former Ballarat boy, a product of Lake Wendouree and the North Ballarat Rebels, emphatically denied the injury concern had spoiled his week.

“No, not at all. I get to play in a grand final so the week hasn’t been ruined at all,” he told The Courier at the traditional grand final parade in Melbourne.

“It was an interesting start to the week and a little bit of a stressful build-up, but now that I’ve got the final tick-off, I’m just excited to get out there and play.”

For Roughead’s mother and father, there was certainly some nervous moments.

His mum Bernie was edgy early in the week, but proudly sported her Bulldogs jumper on Thursday at work when things started to look promising.

Paul, a past Footscray reserves player, spent plenty of time with his son this week, keeping him company during the days after the injury.

“Sunday he was sick, he was really sick. Monday he was lying in the dark room with no certainty that he’d play again. Tuesday was the main training day and media day where there’s lots happening. He missed that,” Paul said.

“He went out to the club and did his edits on Wednesday and then went straight home. So there’s a lot of hype and things that go on that he hasn’t seen.

“He had the open training session (on Thursday) and then he’s gone straight to the doctor after that. He won’t have had the week – which may be a good thing in that it has taken his mind off it.”

Paul also recalled a conversation he had with Jordan on Monday when it was still unclear whether or not he would take his spot in the grand final team.

“I said ‘fingers crossed everything will go well’ and he said ‘I hope so, but if it doesn’t, I’ll at least get to watch the team that I’ve supported all my life play in a grand final’,” Paul said.