THE Waikiki Whalers is Paul Roos’ next stop in his outstanding football career – if the AFL gives the Hawaiian team the go ahead to join the competition in the near future.
Otherwise, Roos hasn’t set his sights on coaching anywhere else after Melbourne, when he hands over the reins to Simon Goodwin at the end of this season.
Addressing the issue that he could be wooed by a rival AFL club at the end of the 2016 season, Roos said he had set his sights on spending more time with his family and travelling beyond this year – not coaching an AFL club.
Although he hasn’t ruled out remaining with Melbourne in some sort of capacity – if the opportunity presents – Roos is otherwise up for some surf, sun and fun beyond his time in the AFL.
“I know people probably won’t believe me, so there is no point in me addressing it, but unless there is a team in Waikiki and they’re the Waikiki Whalers – then I’m happy to start a new team, if [AFL chief executive] Gill [McLachlan] wants to start one over there,” he said, drawing laughs from the media on Friday at AAMI Park.
“I’m happy to be the director of coaching or something like that, but I don’t think you’re going to find a ground to play on.
“To be honest, it’s pointless addressing the issue, because my intentions are [to spend more time with my] family and my intentions are to travel, but that’s just the way I see it at the moment. I don’t know how other way to address it to be honest.”
Roos said he would chat with chief executive Peter Jackson and general manager of football operations Josh Mahoney sometime this year about any potential Melbourne options for next year.
“I’m excited about the [rest of this] year and we’ve had some brief discussions [about the future] – Josh, myself and Peter – and we’re all really comfortable, but we’re all focused on this year,” he said.
“We want to get the best out of the player group and do what we’re doing and try and win as many games. That’s the focus of the footy club.
“If we sit down during the year [that’s] fantastic, but if we don’t until the end of the year, then that’s fine.”
Meanwhile, Roos backed key forward Chris Dawes to make a successful return from a calf injury.
The 2010 Collingwood premiership player is on course to play next weekend via the VFL. He has yet to play a match of any sorts in 2016.
“What we said to Dawesy was to be really selfish this time, so when he comes back, he’ll be a lot better prepared,” Roos said.
“We’ve needed [him in the past to play] and he’s probably played too soon the past couple of years, because we’ve desperately needed him. He’s delivered on occasions, particularly early when he’s been underdone.
“Now, it’s time for Chris to look after himself and make sure he comes back in really good shape. Hopefully he plays next week.
“His best is really, really good, so we’re hoping he comes back to his best, which I’m sure he will and then knocks the door down and gets back in the team.”
