Melbourne coach Paul Roos says coaching staff instruct Jack Viney to brace for contact to protect against concussions, wants explanation

MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos last night said he was at a loss as to how to coach players on handling on-field collisions.

MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos last night said he was at a loss as to how to coach players on handling on-field collisions.

Melbourne tried to call Roos as a witness at the tribunal on Tuesday, but the move was thwarted.

Roos had wanted to explain how the Demons had coached Viney not to lead with his head on the field.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work because he’s had actually had a lot of concussions and broken jaws,” Roos said.

“He’s very straight on when he comes at the ball; he’s very head-first.

“He tends to go through a contest with his head, and we’ve actually been coaching him … to turn his body and brace for contact when he’s actually going for the ball.

“I guess from purely a coaching point of view, I’m at a bit of a loss. Because it’s something that (midfield coach) Benny Matthews has been working really hard with him.

“It is confusing, it is hard to know what to say to a Jack Viney because what we’re trying to do is protect Jack as well.”

Roos called for “an explanation” after tonight’s appeal.

“I think if he does get off, then it probably clears it up for everyone and we move on,” Roos said.

“But if he doesn’t get off, I think the industry needs to know why and, in that similar situation, what is someone supposed to do.”

Originally published as Melbourne coach Paul Roos says coaching staff instruct Jack Viney to brace for contact to protect against concussions, wants explanation