Melbourne Demons coach Paul Roos giving Jack Grimes no guarantees of facing Adelaide

UPDATE: MELBOURNE emergency Jack Grimes could be forgiven for growing frustrated as he continues to hunt a senior spot, but coach Paul Roos is offering no certainty over his future.

Melbourne training Jack Grimes Picture: Wayne Ludbey

PERENNIAL Melbourne emergency Jack Grimes could be forgiven for growing frustrated as he continues to hunt a senior spot, coach Paul Roos admits.

The former captain has been named in Melbourne’s extended squad for Sunday’s clash with Adelaide on the back of being named as an emergency on a number of occasions this season.

He was kept behind for a chat with coaches and fellow members of the side’s extended bench after training today, before being spoken to alone by Roos and a number of assistant coaches before leaving the track.

He hasn’t played a senior game since Round 23 of last year, but Roos says communication lines have remained wide open and the midfielder is “really, really close” to earning a berth.

“It is a tough one, because the seniors have been going pretty well and the seconds are playing really, really well,” he said this morning.

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Jack Grimes was kept behind to chat with coaches after training training at Goschs Paddock today. Picture: Andrew Tauber

“If I was him, I would be getting frustrated, but we’re making sure that we’re communicating with him pretty strongly and letting him know where he sits — I think that’s the main thing.

“I’m sure it’s only human nature to get frustrated this late in the season.

“We want him in exceptional form in the seconds so that we give him the best chance to keep playing.”

There has been speculation about the ex-skipper’s future at the club this week after his manager admitted his concern about the restricted free agent’s prospects at the Demons.

Roos, who is set to vacate the role at the end of the season, said he won’t be making any such calls, but said Grimes has positioned himself well to continue.

“I won’t make those decisions, clearly, at the end of the year, but we all as a coaching group think he’s improving and the big thing when he does get a game — and I’m sure he’ll get a game at some point, whether it’s this week or next week or whatever — we think he’s going to be a better player than he has been in the past,” he said.

“So that’s a good starting point to keep moving forward on.”

Star midfielder Jack Viney left training after just 10 minutes due to a tight hamstring, with the final team to be named later today.

The club also announced that Neville Jetta has re-signed until the end of 2018.

“He probably just hung on to stay on the list, and every challenge that we’ve thrown him, he’s accepted,” Roos said.

“He’s become a really important part of the team.

Nev’s one of the ones who came through the tough times and it’s exciting that he extended his career.”

Originally published as Melbourne Demons coach Paul Roos giving Jack Grimes no guarantees of facing Adelaide