Paul Roos isn’t going to change his Melbourne game plan despite three losses to start his tenure.
The Demons’ close loss to St Kilda and thrashing by West Coast were followed on Sunday by a five-goal defeat against Greater Western Sydney, one of just two clubs they beat last season.
Melbourne was in the contest for much of a rain-soaked Sydney day before fading out in the fourth term.
Roos said that last quarter would form the basis of his post-match review.
“From a positive point of view, five minutes into the last quarter you’re one point up. From a negative point of view, you lose by thirty something,” he said.
“So a lot of the review is on the last 25, 26 minutes, what happens then.”
Roos said Melbourne would not panic. Instead, he will retrain his side based on two modern-day powerhouses.
“I’m clear in my mind where we’ve got to get to and how we’ve got to get there,” he said.
“It’s a work in progress.
“You look back on teams like Hawthorn and Geelong … clearly we’re a long way off them now but at some stage they were at exactly the same stage we were.”
Key to that is keeping the structure but finding the right players for the job.
“We won’t change the game plan but you change the personnel. That’s what good teams do, it’s what (Alastair Clarkson) did, it’s what Bomber Thompson did.”
One move that Roos described as an “experiment that worked” was moving James Frawley and Lynden Dunn into the forward line.
Roos suggested he’d persist with that move as he seeks to find a winning formula.
While the Demons sit bottom of the table with just 47.4 per cent, it’s still an improvement on their horror start to last year.
This time last season, Mark Neeld’s side had three losses for a combined 321 points margin.
One of Melbourne’s two wins for the season came in round four, against the Giants, but to mirror their 2013 record they’ll need to better the wounded Blues on Saturday.
Both sides are 0-3 but Roos wouldn’t be drawn on whether it was a good or bad timing to catch Carlton at a low ebb.
“Every game we’ve got to look at as an opportunity, that’s how I look at it.”
Jacksyd
Guest
This is not an attack on Roos. I am stating a fact based on observation and information. Your comment relating to talented assistants is what I'm talking about, whether Roos brought them there or not, they played a big role, especially Longmire.
GazzaW
Guest
The are no miracles that coaches can conjure up. Sure Port/west coast leapt up the ladder but they are exceptions rather than the rule. Most of the bottom clubs have struggled to get competitive and it's a long process just to get competitive let alone dominant. Roos has a playing group that has been badly mismanaged and badly educated and they need to be re skilled no easy task. Also if their previous pre seasons haven't been up to par then they are also going to be behind in their development as well that also can't be fixed in one year. Roos knows how to coach and what is required but his playing group doesn't it's up to them to put their Demons behind them so to speak.
JuanPablo
Guest
I take exception to your attack on Roos. His record speaks for itself and though he surrounded himself with talented assistants, they would have never been in the Swans had it not been for Roos. The demons need to compete and win the ball.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Roosy looked a bit desparate to me. Not sure putting the fear of god into them is going to help.
Jacksyd
Guest
If they won 1 they might be in the top 8 themselves, LOL I've said it before, won't take long for the demons to realise Roos was a poor choice. Insiders in Sydney Swans all know that Longmire was the tactical brains trust behind the Swans premiership team and has proven his credentials with another since head coach. Won't be surprised to Roos let go after 1 year or before.
Axle an the guru
Guest
If Melbourne can pressure Carlton for 4 quarters of football anything can happen, Carlton are the ones under the pump not Melb, Melbourne have nothing to lose an a lot to gain. Carlton are playing like rabbits in a rabbit borough, im tipping Melbourne for there first win.
Martin
Guest
Let's put things into some perspective, we need to realise that all of Melbourne's defeats this season have come from teams in the top eight. I expect that once they play sides outside the top eight they will be more competitive.