Melbourne CEO Peter Jackson continues to be true to his word when appointed a few months ago that he would make the Demons relevant again in this competition and no longer the impediment he claims they had become in recent seasons.
He has managed to lure the man on top of his wish list to coach the struggling club, former Swans mentor, Paul Roos.
Roos will coach the Demons for at least two years with an option of a third and it’s been a huge turnaround over the past few weeks for the Swans’ premiership coach, who until recently had said coaching wasn’t on the radar.
However, Jackson’s persistence or doggedness, either word will suffice coupled with Roos’ contract ending as head of Sydney’s football Academy and the chance to put a coaching succession plan in place like he did with John Longmire at the reigning premiers, rekindled Roos’ interest in returning to coaching at the highest level.
Success seems a long way off even for Roos, who got the Swans into the finals in seven of his eight full seasons in charge after turning them around quickly.
However, he obviously has a method and he will teach the players how to play and it will be a consistent message designed to get the desired results over a long period of time.
If he is to introduce a succession plan, he needs a senior assistant, who will be ready to go whenever Roos decides his time at the Demons is up.
Mind you if the Demons improve quicker than expected and are in the finals or in contention for September action after he has taken up the offer of a third year, it would be surprising if he doesn’t continue for a few more years to try and achieve the ultimate.
Noone would begrudge him that opportunity, considering the gigantic challenge confronting him at the moment.
However, that senior assistant is a vital appointment and there are some plying their trade at other clubs, who are gaining impressive reputations as they continue their preparation to be the number one man down the track.
Eagles assistant and former Collingwood player, Scott Burns is one that should be looked at.
He has had five years under John Worsfold and might think he needs experience at one more club under an established coach before taking the next step.
West Coast of course need a new coach to replace Worsfold and Burns would have to be in the mix, although Peter Sumich is the favourite.
Adam Simpson has been a great addition to a very successful program at Hawthorn, but again like Burns he might want to round out his preparation elsewhere and you would think he is one that Melbourne would be interested in.
Leigh Tudor has served a long apprenticeship at Geelong, St Kilda and now Sydney and there’s now doubt Roos will look at his old backyard to build his coaching staff, with veteran assistant, George Stone in line to take on a development role at the Demons.
There’s also the issue of making major improvements to the playing list.
They require depth and quality in their midfield and with a very high draft pick, number two to play with, that should be attractive to opposition clubs.
With Paul Roos as coach, Melbourne is likely to be a hip club to go to as Peter Jackson recognised they needed a selling point and got one.
This club has been stuck in the depths for too long and it seemed that there had been no light at the end of the tunnel. However Roos will bring excitement and most importantly hope to this ailing and once proud footy team.
Maybe Dees’ fans will start saying again, ”there’s always next year”.
“Surely we will be better then.”
Yep, they just might be!
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