Paul Roos hails big win against Suns but is left to count the cost with doubts over Jesse Hogan

THE Demons could lose Jesse Hogan for next week’s duel against Hawthorn despite the forward playing out the two-point heart-stopper, labelled a “big win” by coach Paul Roos.

Jesse Hogan is in doubt for Melbourne’s clash with Hawthorn next weekend

COACH Paul Roos believes Melbourne’s ugly win against Gold Coast could prove more vital than a 10-goal hammering or shock upset against a premiership force.

But the Demons could lose Jesse Hogan for Saturday’s duel against Hawthorn despite the power forward playing out the two-point heart-stopper, labelled a “big win” by Roos.

Hogan’s knee collided with the point post as he took a sliding mark in the second quarter and he hobbled into the rooms for treatment at the final change.

Sometimes those wins are as important, if not more important, than a 10-goal win or a win against a team you’re not expected to beat

Paul Roos

Hogan continued to provide a contest but has now failed to kick a goal in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Roos said with a clutch of sore players there could be multiple changes given the Demons play off a six-day break.

He didn’t rule out No. 9 pick Sam Weideman debuting in the final month after the full-forward booted three VFL goals on Saturday.

Roos said poor skills had been the theme of a forgettable round, but the Demons “were rapt” with the dramatic victory.

“Sometimes those wins are as important, if not more important, than a 10-goal win or a win against a team you’re not expected to beat,” Roos said.

Jesse Hogan could miss Melbourne’s clash with Hawthorn next weekend

“It’s a big win today. I wouldn’t underestimate the importance for us as a club.”

The Suns played seven men in attack to generate a spare forward for the first 15 minutes of the final quarter and it worked wonders.

They banged through three quick goals to seize the lead and star forward Tom Lynch then kicked for the game after the final siren, but his set-shot from 50m failed to cross the line.

“It was one of those footy days where I don’t think there’s any point in over analysing it,” Roos said.

Jack Watts was the hero of the hour for Melbourne

“It was just a scrappy game. (There are) five weeks to go — great conditions, you would’ve loved to have played out there — but it was what it was.

“It was a great effort. As a spectacle it was a real contest and it was close, but the turnovers obviously detracted from the game.

“Our turnovers were a bit worse than theirs.”

When Roos took over in 2014 the Demons were muddled in hoodoos against clubs but they now boast three-game winning streaks against three clubs — Collingwood, Richmond and the Suns.

Melbourne has now won eight games in one season and six at the MCG for the first time since 2011.

It’s a big win today. I wouldn’t underestimate the importance for us as a club

Paul Roos

Yesterday’s total of 9.12 (66) to 9.10 (64) was its lowest winning score since Round 16 last year.

Roos has just four games left in his coaching career but said he was yet to ponder retirement.

“I don’t think about anything else. I think about going to work (today), doing the review and playing against Hawthorn next week,” he said.

“There’s really no emotion other than that.”

On the sloppy weekend of footy, Roos said: “It’s an interesting time, isn’t it?”

“I’ve watched a lot of footy this weekend (and) it’s probably been as bad a weekend of football as we’ve seen.

“Collingwood-West Coast, North-St Kilda … it’s always an interesting time of year.

“Our effort was really good all day, as was theirs.

“But it looks like the theme of the weekend is skilful has really dropped, teams are tired now and fighting their way through.”

Originally published as Paul Roos hails big win against Suns but is left to count the cost with doubts over Jesse Hogan