Paul Roos says big loss to Geelong proof Melbourne still has a long way to go

MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos says Saturday’s 111-point mauling from Geelong was as a stark reminder of how far off the Demons are from the top weights.

Max Gawn after the final siren at Simonds Stadium.

MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos said Saturday’s 111-point mauling from Geelong was as a stark reminder of how far off the Demons are from the top weights.

In a disastrous farewell for the coaching great, Roos suffered the worst loss in his decorated coaching career, eclipsing Melbourne’s 105-point loss to Hawthorn last year.

Roos said it would take at least several days to get over the stinging disappointment and had to hold his tongue in the post-game meeting to prevent saying something to the players he would regret.

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Melbourne is widely regarded as a strong finals contender next year but Roos said Saturday’s crushing defeat should sting all summer.

“We know that we are not a finals team, we have got a fair way to go to become a finals team,” Roos said.

“Sometimes the players need to see that because they don’t necessarily believe it and today was a stark reality of exactly where we are at as a footy club.”

Max Gawn after the final siren at Simonds Stadium.

Roos conceded he would have rather bowed out differently after three years helping rescue Melbourne from one of the lowest points in its history.

“The next couple of days is picking my chin up off the deck,” Roos said.

“It’s hard, because as a coach you have the same emotion as the fans that leave the ground, and the players themselves are disappointed.

“The key for me today is you don’t want to say something you are going to regret, in the last game of your coaching career, you take a deep breath.

“You also look at trends over a period of time and our trend is very different to what we saw today.

“Certainly, I’m a competitor and it won’t feel good for a couple of days. How long it lasts I’m not quite sure.”

Paul Roos addresses his players in his final game as coach.

Melbourne was belted in all areas as the Cats showcased their premiership credentials and Roos said only Christian Salem and Angus Brayshaw looked lively in the midfield.

“It’s disappointing for the players after such a good season,” he said.

“There weren’t any signs during the week. You are always looking for little cracks that might be opening up and with the group that was pretty young today the cracks opened up and turned it into a Grand Canyon.

“They all sort of fell in a hole together. Credit to them (Geelong), they are a team playing for a premiership and playing premiership football.”

Roos delivered the Melbourne players a blunt message in the meeting room after the match and looked shellshocked as he walked out.

Emerging midfielder Viney said the “extremely disappointing” thrashing would burn in the preseason.

Melbourne players walk off Simonds Stadium after losing to Geelong. Picture: Colleen Petch

“It’s a terrible way to send him (Roos) off,” Viney said.

“We are not losing sight of what we have achieved this year but the results show that we have got a long way to go.

“It will hurt for a while and we don’t have next week to redeem ourselves, which is a shame.”

Spearhead Jesse Hogan has kicked only three goals in his last six matches but Roos was adamant the club was happy with his overall output, save for the wayward kicking.

“We have been really happy with his work rate and his ability to get his hand on the ball,” Roos said.

“Last week I think he had 14 marks. But when you are missing your goals (it costs you).

“Today was more about our ball use. We could have had eight forwards against six of their defenders and we still would have missed a target today.”

Roos said the future was bright for Melbourne as Simon Goodwin takes over the reins immediately.

He said Jake Melksham would provide an midfield boost after sitting out this season due to Essendon’s drugs ban.

Roos said it was important players remained disciplined in the off-season.

“That’s when you set your season up, but I’m talking about young guys,” he said.

“Their work has to be done in the 8-10 weeks (off).

“It’s going to determine how Brayshaw, (Clayton) Oliver, Hogan, (Christian) Petracca all those young guys, how they go next year.”

Originally published as Paul Roos says big loss to Geelong proof Melbourne still has a long way to go