Paul Roos isn’t holding James Frawley to early season pledge despite coach signing on for 2016

UPDATE: THE spotlight has turned to James Frawley after Paul Roos re-signed with the ­Demons, but the coach says he won’t hold the defender to an early-season pledge.

Port v Melbourne AFL game at Adelaide Oval.

THE spotlight has turned to James Frawley after Paul Roos has agreed to stay with the ­Demons until the end of 2016 but the coach says Melbourne’s free agent shouldn’t be held to a tongue-in-cheek promise to stay at Melbourne now he’s signed on for a third year..

Roos yesterday exercised the option on his contract for what is widely reported to be a $1 million a season salary.

He will not seek to coach beyond the 2016 season.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, Roos said he wasn’t holding Frawley to a pledge made at Luna Park in February.

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“People have probably taken James’s comment a bit too literally,” he said.

“It was more tongue in cheek ... bought him a bit of breathing space, he probably knew I wasn’t going to make a decision for a while.”

Roos said the club was playing out both scenarios for the club’s planning for next year, but he was prepared to wait a little longer for Frawley’s answer.

While Frawley’s departure would leave them short of talls, his recruitment focus is “a really high-quality class midfielder or midfielders”.

“If you look at the better teams, the ability to throw different players in the centre bounces, your high half-forwards are midfielders, often one of your defenders is a midfielder.”

Roos said on Monday night he had made the decision in the break.

“I just had a chance to get away on the weekend and I spoke to my wife (Tami) and my boys about it, and I didn’t want to make too big a deal out of it,” Roos said.

THE BOYS DISCUSS JAMES FRAWLEY’S FUTURE IN THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST BELOW OR CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE IN ITUNES

“I wanted to get it out of the way and get the players to focus on what we’re trying to do over the next five weeks.”

The Sydney premiership coach confirmed he would not be coaching after the contract expired.

“I think I may have been pretty clear now that it can’t be any longer than three years and I’ve spoken about that,” Roos said. “We just reinforced that, Tami and I, and the boys. We talked about that a little bit. The family was really ­supportive and I just feel like another 18 months.

“I wouldn’t be able to complete the task that I really wanted to do and the club wants to do. I think two and a half years gives us a chance to hopefully set the club up and in a good position to hand it over.”

Asked about Frawley’s future, Roos said: “We’ve got to give the players time to make their decision.”

AFL — Port Adelaide v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval. Paul Roos and 3 quarter time. Photo Sarah Reed.

Frawley remains the key signing for Melbourne and chief executive Peter Jackson indicated last night the club would initiate talks soon.

In February this year, Frawley said his future would be linked to Roos re-signing.

“Hopefully Roosy can sign for a few more years, that would be nice,” Frawley said.

“Put it out there, Roos can sign for a few more years, he does, I will, done.

“Right now I am very happy at Melbourne … the club is in a good spot.’’

Frawley’s manager Alex McDonald did not return calls last night.

At the weekend Collingwood denied it had interest in Frawley and last night the Sydney Swans said they also weren’t suitors.

Roos has a great relationship with Dees players. Picture: Tom Huntley

Hawthorn and Geelong remain strong candidates to land Frawley if he chooses to leave the Demons via free agency.

The Demons, meanwhile, have joined the chase for Sydney’s Nick Malceski and if possible will try to secure him via the pre-season draft to keep its compensation pick they’d receive if Frawley departed.

The Roos appointment yesterday gladdened all Demons fans.

He was considered the saviour when he was sensationally appointed coach in September last year.

The Demons have won just four games but have improved dramatically, particularly on the defensive nature of their football.

Last year the Demons had a percentage of 54.1. This year it is 73. They have lost six games by fewer than 20 points.

- with AAP

Originally published as Paul Roos isn’t holding James Frawley to early season pledge despite coach signing on for 2016