COACH Paul Roos says the players are still adjusting their mindset from playing competitive football to winning football.

Roos said the players had progressed strongly so far this season – given they were now playing competitive football unlike recent times – but he still wanted the group to believe that they could win every round.

“I’d like to think they’d go into every week to feeling like we’re going to win,” he said on Dee TV’s Roos’ Views,” he said on Dee TV’s Roos’ Views.

“We’re coming from a fair way back and apart from the Eagles game and I was disappointed with the Giants game – I think every other game we’ve been pretty competitive.

“We’ve got to change the mindset of the players that we’re not just coming to compete, but it’s coming to win, so every game I lose is disappointing – I don’t differentiate between any losses, but it’s harder to compete against better teams.

Reflecting on last round’s loss to the Western Bulldogs, Roos said they had been playing “pretty consistent football”, but the Demons missed some key opportunities in the end. 

“I thought it was a good game – they’re improving a bit like we are and trying to do the same thing – and trying to be hard and consistent and play footy for 120 minutes,” he said.

“They probably played for a little bit longer, so it was a credit to them and we just made some mistakes late – [kicking] 2.5 [in the final quarter] hurt us as well – and a couple of decisions we made late in the game.

“We’re getting there, but it does take time and at least the efforts seem to be a bit more consistent as well.”

Meanwhile, Roos said Richmond coach Tom Hafey was a “universal” football person and Melbourne would honour him when the Demons and Tigers meet at the MCG on Saturday.

“He’s a four-time premiership coach [at Richmond] … but his role in footy goes beyond the Richmond footy club and that’s where every football person should feel the loss of Tommy Hafey, because he’s been such a significant figure in AFL football,” he said.

 “We’re pleased to be able to play the Tigers and show what Tom means to everyone and not just the Richmond Football Club or the three other clubs that he’s been involved in.”