Paul Roos says Melbourne united, Richmond in ‘disarray’ in farewell speech

OUTGOING Melbourne coach Paul Roos has used the turmoil at Richmond to highlight the strength and unity of Melbourne’s administration in his farewell speech.

Outgoing Melbourne coach Paul Roos.

OUTGOING Melbourne coach Paul Roos has used the tumult at Richmond to highlight the strength and unity of Melbourne’s administration.

In his farewell speech at Melbourne’s best-and-fairest on Tuesday night, Roos said the Demons had completed a remarkable on-field transformation from the rabble he took over three years ago and declared he “would love nothing more” than to see a Melbourne premiership under new coach Simon Goodwin in the next few years.

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But there was also a clip for the Tigers’ board challenges as Roos lauded the stability of Melbourne’s board through testing times in recent years.

“Hopefully this doesn’t make a headline tomorrow and it’s not the point of it but what we saw yesterday was a club that is (in) somewhat disarray, in the Richmond Football Club,” Roos said.

“And I think there hasn’t been a footy club that has been through as much as the Melbourne Football Club.

“And we’ve never got to the point as a football club where there has been breakaway groups and past players etc think they can overthrow boards and I think that’s a credit to every single person that has followed the Melbourne Football Club.”

Paul Roos had a parting message for Melbourne players.

Midfielder Jack Viney won his first best-and-fairest award ahead of captain Nathan Jones but there was also rousing applause for Max Gawn (third) and Jack Watts (fifth).

Gawn paid tribute to former Melbourne coach Dean Bailey and president Jim Stynes, who have both died, but were acknowledged last night for their contributions to the Dees.

Gawn said Stynes was “the reason I’m playing footy today”.

Watts also said he had taken strides under Roos and believed Melbourne was “a proper football club now” after completing the fifth-worst season in AFL history in 2013, before Roos arrived.

Upon receiving his fifth-place award, Watts said “I’ll make it (speech) short, it’s taken me a while to get up here (on stage).

“Usually, I’m down there feeling a bit awkward drinking free p---,” Watts said.

The “Focus on Footy” team announce their challenge to the Richmond board.

Roos’ last message was to the players, challenging them to take the next step.

The club will attempt to break its 11-year finals drought next season.

“Decide to be great. It is a decision, it doesn’t happen by accident,” Roos said.

“You have to want to be great. And greatness is not going to happen when you turn up on November 1 or whenever you turn up and Simon has got the whistle in charge.

“Greatness is going to happen when you walk out of this room tonight. That’s when greatness starts.

“You have to commit to it you have to want to do it and I would love nothing more than to see Simon and Nathan holding up the premiership cup.”

Originally published as Paul Roos says Melbourne united, Richmond in ‘disarray’ in farewell speech