MELBOURNE coachPaul Roos left the AFL Tribunal "in shock" after Jack Viney wassuspended, and admits he's "at a loss" about how to instruct his playersto brace for contact in light of the verdict.
Viney was controversially slapped with a two-game ban on Tuesday night for a hit that left Adelaide's Tom Lynch with a broken jaw.
"WhenI left him (Jack) last night we were probably all a bit in shock, sothen it was a case of what we were going to do as a footy club," he told3AW’s Sports Today on Wednesday.
Melbournedecided to appeal on the grounds "that the decision was sounreasonable, that no Tribunal acting reasonably could have come to thatdecision having regard to the evidence before it", according to astatement on the club’s website.
Roos said the verdict has left him confused about how to coach his players.
TheSydney Swans premiership coach revealed his unusual move to accompanyViney to the Tribunal was because he wanted to explain how the club hadbeen instructing Viney to change his approach when attacking a contest.
"We'vebeen doing a lot of work because he's had actually had a lot ofconcussions and broken jaws," said Roos, who wasn't allowed to speakbefore the Tribunal.
"He's very straight on when he comes at the ball; he's very head-first.
"Hetends to go through a contest with his head, and we've actually beencoaching him … to turn his body and brace for contact when he's actuallygoing for the ball.
"I guess from purely acoaching point of view, I'm at a bit of a loss. Because it's somethingthat (midfield coach) Benny Matthews has been working really hard withhim.
"It is confusing, it is hard to know what to say to a Jack Viney because what we're trying to do is protect Jack as well."
TheDemons support the AFL's harsh line on head contact if players chooseto bump when they have a reasonable alternative, Roos said.
However, the club argues Viney had not option but to brace for contact and did not choose to bump Lynch.
"Pending the appeal and pending what happens, I think we need an explanation," Roos said.
"I think if he does get off, then it probably clears it up for everyone and we move on.
"Butif he doesn't get off, I think the industry needs to know why and, inthat similar situation, what is someone supposed to do."
IfViney's suspension isn't overturned, the first match he will miss isSaturday night's clash against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.
Roosconfirmed swingman James Frawley would be picked and is expected toplay despite battling a strained ligament in his big toe.
"We'll pick him, he won't train much tomorrow and we think he should play come Saturday night," Roos said.
