CO-CAPTAIN Jack Grimes says it is “massive” to have coach Paul Roos commit for a third season, which will be in 2016.

Speaking on 1116 SEN on Tuesday morning, Grimes said it was a significant lift for the players to know Roos had taken up his option for a third season as coach.

“We know how long 12 months is in footy these days,” he said.

“We feel like – in the nine months under Roosy – that we’ve improved so much and learned so much.

“We know we’ve got a long way to go, but if we can continue that progression under Roosy, then hopefully after three years, we’ll be a bloody good team.”

Grimes said Roos’ key attribute as a coach was his even approach. 

“He just has a really, really consistent message,” he said.

“He just hasn’t wavered one bit.

“It’s always around non-negotiables that he tries to drill into us.”

Reflecting on his first meeting with the 2005 Sydney Swans premiership coach, Grimes said Roos was “really respectful” when he first met with the Melbourne leadership group, before he was announced as coach on September 6 last year.

“That was the main thing that I noticed, because he didn’t want to stand on anyone’s toes,” he said.

“It was a tricky time, because we were being coached by someone else at the time, so our first impressions were really good.”