The Roar
The Roar

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Roos defends trade talk

5th November, 2014
2

Jack Trengove’s potential AFL move to Richmond ended in another surgery setback, but Melbourne coach Paul Roos says it was no hasty fire sale.

The two clubs were looking at a trade last month when a routine medical showed the former Demons captain had a fresh injury.

Apart from immediately shutting down negotiations, the test result meant another operation for Trengove.

His left foot will be in a cast for eight weeks after a bone graft was used to fix a crack in the navicular bone.

While determined to resume his AFL career, Trengove concedes he might not play next season.

Roos said Trengove was consulted throughout the negotiations and added Melbourne only considered the deal because the player was comfortable with it.

“I spoke to Jack directly and we were really clear with him that he was a required player,” Roos said.

“There was an opportunity that Richmond had presented to us, but it wasn’t a fire sale.

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“It was never a case of him being thrown out there.

“I don’t think there are any problems whatsoever there.”

Roos was talking on the first day of pre-season training for the Demons.

They were among 10 clubs to start their 2015 preparations the day after the Melbourne Cup.

The Demons finished second-last this year and Roos will have his team working hard ahead of Christmas.

“I don’t think the players are in for a relaxing six weeks where they’re not going to be doing too much – it’s going to be tough,” he said.

“We need to continue to improve and improve significantly to keep up with the lower end, let alone to bridge to the top end.

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“Pre-season is just going to get harder and harder for the players and I’m sure they’re aware of that.”

Roos also had sympathy for Sam Blease, who has gone from Melbourne to Geelong as a delisted free agent.

Blease, a No.17 draft pick, noted it had been tough to develop as a player at the club when they had gone through five coaches in six years.

“Melbourne players have been short-changed here and we’re changing that – we want to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” Roos said.

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