Paul Roos has transformed Melbourne from easybeats to finals contenders in three seasons as coach

PAUL Roos is set to make good on his three-year repair mission to finally return Melbourne into finals contention. HOW THE DEMONS HAVE IMPROVED

SAM LANDSBERGER

3 min read

June 18, 2016 - 9:00AM

PAUL Roos is set to make good on his three-year repair mission to finally return Melbourne into finals contention.

The premiership coach has just 10 games left in his career — plus possible finals — and said yesterday he had repeatedly looked back to the goals laid out when the Demons coaxed him out of retirement.

The Dees produced one of the worst seasons on record in 2013 when they won two games and finished with a percentage of just 54.

But after 56 games under Roos they enter tomorrow’s clash against Sydney at 6-6 and with a percentage of 109.

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“The things that (president Glenn Bartlett) and (chief executive Peter Jackson) and I set out to do, the majority of them we’ve done,” Roos said.

“A lot of what we talked about when I first got the job was off-field.

“Setting up good mechanics around the football department, getting good coaches, the succession plan — all those sorts of things.

“I’m really pleased that with 10 weeks to go pretty much all of that’s been ticked off.”

Roos said the “final and most important piece” was on-field success and highlighted the sharp spike in competitiveness this season.

While Melbourne again lost to finalists North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs, they slashed their losing margins.

Melbourne coach Paul Roos directs his players at training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The Dees cut their defeat to North by 30 points, the Hawks by 87 and the Dogs by 66.

“Credit to everyone, it’s been a tough ride over the last two and a half years but I think everyone can now see where we’re heading,” Roos said.

He mapped out the methodical rebuild, which focused on tightening the weak defence in 2014, boosting the contested game in 2015 and implementing attractive ball movement this year.

Roos denied any wrongdoing in the club’s public interest in banned Essendon defender Michael Hibberd.

The Demons boldly traded their 2016 first-round pick last year amid plans to become a destination club and it appears a shrewd move given an anticipated ladder rise.

Free agent Jack Watts has hit career-best form and given strong indication he is nearly ready to recommit but the Dees are no closer to re-signing full-back Tom McDonald.

Roos said McDonald played his best game for the season on Queen’s Birthday but was unsure where contract talks sit.

“I think there was an offer on the table that his manager preferred to knock back, and I think that’s where it’s been left at this stage,” he said.

The Demons have also been linked to Gold Coast midfielder Dion Prestia while an array of trade targets acquired under Roos have proved valuable additions.

Max Gawn has been one of the big improvers under Paul Roos. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The club has also started nailing its prized draft picks with midfield bulls Clayton Oliver (2016) and Angus Brayshaw (2015) enjoying sparkling debut seasons and Christian Petracca favoured to succeed teammate Jesse Hogan as the Rising Star.

Saturday looms as Roos’ final chance to beat the club he took to the 2005 premiership.

Roos said concussion victim Heritier Lumumba was “in a really good head space” and was set to return after the bye, despite wanting to play this week.

He downplayed the Swans’ loss of Kurt Tippett, saying recruit Callum Sinclair would still test ruckman Max Gawn.

“It’s really about the midfield battle,” Roos said.

Goalsneak Jay Kennedy-Harris reinjured his hamstring and will miss 4-6 weeks.